Brig. Gen. John Allen, deputy commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force in Anbar Province, talks with Afaan al-Issawi (the nephew of Sheik Khamis al-Issawi, paramount lineal sheik of the Albu Issa clan, who is sitting to Allen's right) about issues of concern to the clan. Afaan is likely to be the next sheik of the Albu Issa, which is the most powerful clan in the Anbar tribe -- the principle tribal group along the upper Euphrates and hence the principal confederation in western Iraq.