A Year in the Life of an American Diplomat in Iraq

Welcome to “Wing Tips on the Ground,” a blog about my experiences as a US diplomat serving in Iraq.  I am a career member of the United States Foreign Service and am assigned to a State Department-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in southern Iraq.    I began blogging a little over two months ago as a way to keep friends and family back home updated on my life here in the desert.  I started with little ambition or desire to answer the bigger questions about the US presence in Iraq.   Rather, I wanted to provide my friends (and colleagues in other parts of the world) with my own personal observations of Iraq, its people, and the challenge we all face together.  So many of the loudest voices discussing Iraq these days are those who have spent the least amount of time actually in Iraq and among Iraqis.    In the past few months, readership has grown and folks from far and wide have logged on to read a bit about what I am seeing on the ground.   

I should state at the outset that this blog represents my own personal thoughts and observations about Iraq.  It is unofficial and has no affiliation with the U.S. Department of State.   When I began blogging, I vowed to steer clear of making policy observations - too many made already - and I’ve tried to honor this commitment.

So, with that said, I’m excited to share my thoughts and observations, both profound and mundane, with you on all things Iraq.  To get started reading, click here. 

One more thing.  If you’ve logged on before to the web.me.com address, please feel free visit me at my new address: www.wingtipsontheground.com

Sincerely,

Aaron

September 2008

Muthanna Province, Iraq