About = Against?

No - about here means in the sense of: of, in regard to, concerning.

It is the same use of about as: This is a story about three little kittens and their mother.

Hi dlown,

I meant if the intelligence is used against the insurgency. Not that I really thought "about = against".

Which one is right? (1) or (2) ?

(1) the arrest of Mr. Hussein has prompted larger numbers of Iraqis to provide more accurate intelligence about the insurgency, and the intelligence helped and helps American troops subdue the insurgents.

(2) the arrest of Mr. Hussein has prompted larger numbers of Iraqis to provide more accurate intelligence about the insurgency. and the intelligence helped and helps the insurgents attack American troops.

Right, and this - surprisingly - not only downunder, but elsewhere.

yOh - well, yes, the intelligence about the insurgency will be used by the Americans to fight against it.

The first, Oristar - number 1 - if the American accounts are to be believed!

It may just be propaganda....

Thanks Walter,

Does the downunder mean colloquialism "Australia or News Zealand"?

Also thank dlowan.

Yes, for all of us up right persons, at least :wink:

The example does not explicitly say that the information will be used against the insurgents. It is clear that the information is being provided to the U.S., and we can understand that it (the information) will be used against the insurgents, but this is not stated in the original paragraph.

The attacks mentioned in the example are by the insurgents, against Iraqis and U.S. (occupation) soldiers, HOWEVER, the U.S. is obtaining better intelligence.

Clear?

Thank you Wy.

Yes, clear now. Because "however" means "in spite of that; nevertheless", so it is the US leadership who has been getting the intelligence from Iraqis. I should be aware of this.

Happy to help. It's very easy, as you are discovering, to write very confusing English sentences!

You never heard or read my German!

No worries, Walter, I'd be confused!

(It's all Greek to me...)