Kill, Capture, or put to flight

Hope:

So a big offensive has started in Iraq, going after Al-Qaeda and Iranian funded militias. I notice with some sadness that in Baqouba, 80% of the senior leaders got out before we got in, but, to be blunt, putting them to flight isn't bad. They claimed Baqouba as their capital, and have been driven from it. Contrary to idiotic beliefs, there isn't much space safe for them anymore. North of Baqouba, their are many battle hardened Iraqi soldiers, back from helping in Baghdad, who have proven themselves good enough for independant operations. Around Baghdad, the surge is in full swing, and the south of Iraq is full of people unfriendly to Al-Qaeda. The terrorists are running out of hiding places. If we keep this up, we win. If we run away, Iraq may be able to survive, but it isn't guaranteed. Iraqi politics are as bad as ours, but if we reduce violence, they are more likely to fix their other problems.

Sad Reality:

But, really, does anyone thing we're not running away? The war has been declared lost in Washington, so we are probably going to lose due to our political climate. I hope not, but I think even if this surge gets results, we'll still leave before the job is done, like Vietnam. Unless America decides to get guts again ( yeah right ).