UPDATE: Jack Kelly, writing on RCP, pretty much sums up the salient question about the latest round of fighting in Basra.  “It is rare in the annals of war for the side which is winning to seek a cease fire.”

Yet, as the Salt Lake Tribune has pointed out, many in the press have declared the Basra operation a loss for al-Maliki.

As the deafening silence from many in the press continues due to the success of General Petraeus and the “surge” it is not surprising that a tough battle is immediately declared a loss.  After all, only this Speaker of the House would warn the commanding General on the ground to shape his upcoming testimony in a way that would continue the “defeat” narrative.

But if, as many in the press say, Muqtada Sadr has “won” this round, then why are Iraqi forces in control of Basra and Najaf…and why does the AP, not exactly the National Review or Redstate, write this headline a mere 8 hours ago: “Iraq: Sadr Party Faces Rising Isolation.”

Iraq’s major Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties have closed ranks to force anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to disband his Mahdi Army militia or leave politics, lawmakers and officials involved in the effort said Sunday.

Al-Rubaie said the threat was so serious that a delegation might have to discuss the issue with al-Sadr in person. The young cleric, who has disappeared from the public eye for nearly a year, is believed to be in the Iranian holy city of Qom.

In a rare public signal of dissent in Sadrist ranks, al-Rubaie complained that “those close” to al-Sadr “are radicals and that poses problems,” suggesting that some of the cleric’s confidants may be urging him toward a showdown.

I guess if Al-Sadr’s goal was isolation, marginalization, and military defeat, then yes, he has “won”.

God Bless our Troops and their mission.

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In anticipation of General Petraeus coming back to Capitol Hill for a progress report, I thought I would post one of the latest videos out of Multi-National Force - Iraq. Contrary to what the MSM would have you believe, Muqtada Al-Sadr (who is hiding in Iran) and his Mehdi Army were soundly defeated in Basra and Najaf in the last few weeks by American forces AND a majority of Iraqi forces. In the video below, most of the forces taking part, from my understanding, are Iraqi. It is a reminder that this war is more than success or failure in Iraq. It is about sending a message to Iran, Al Qaeda, and others that we are not the paper tiger they claim.

With re-enlistment rates amongst combat units going up every year , it shows that the men who fight believe in what they are doing because they see it first hand.

God Bless Them

(Video courtesy of Blackfive)