"Undoubtedly, there are members of the former regime that are cooperating in some fashion and then there are extremists that are within Iraq that are cooperating with them"

This quote by John Abizaid suggests that there are 2 unique groups of individuals in Iraq that are interacting. The very first group is composed of members of the previous regime, who are likely cooperating with each other in some method. The 2nd group is made up of extremists, who are most likely dealing with the previous regime members. This suggests that there is a strong alliance in between the 2 groups, which could be a cause for issue. It is possible that the extremists are utilizing the former routine members to further their own program, which could be unsafe for the stability of Iraq. Abizaid's quote highlights the need for the international neighborhood to be aware of the alliances that are forming in Iraq and to take actions to ensure that these alliances do not cause more instability.