Rarely does the hulking commander of American forces in Iraq meet with Iraqis or go to a news conference without a slight, dark-haired woman standing just a little to one side - as if to Give him space, but almost always in his line of sight and within earshot.
The woman is Emma Sky, and she is an unlikely figure in the milieu of the generally strait-laced American military. She is British, 41, a civilian and a onetime opponent of the war, but nevertheless a political adviser, as well as confidante has many policy matters to the American commander, Gen.. Ray Odierno.
She is often compared to Gertrude Bell, a celebrated early-20th-century British Adventurer who was an architect of modern Iraq. That may be an overstatement, but Ms.. Sky is nevertheless, like Ms.. Bell, a woman to be reckoned with.
She has provoked her share of controversy, both "Because of her outspoken criticism of some military policies and Influential" Because of her position in General Odierno's inner circle.
Conversant in Arabic and Hebrew, Ms.. Sky has worked in conflict zones from Israel to Afghanistan, has spent more time on the ground in Iraq than most soldiers and knows tribal leaders from the northern city of Kirkuk to the southern city of Basra.
"Emma was Able to Give me a completely different perspective: it was from an Iraqi viewpoint," General Odierno said.
"We did not have a lot of experience in doing these things, so someone with her background and knowledge was Able Thurs assist us As to how we could best help Civilians."
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