I have been busy with other projects, but the news media has been hitting the meme that troop deaths and violence in Iraq are down. The conclusion they have collectively reached is that the surge is working.
With a dissenting view: Brandon Friedman at Daily Kos.
Then, barely three weeks after the New York Times article ran, 50 Muslim pilgrims were slaughtered in sectarian fighting in Karbala. In response, Muqtada al-Sadr announced that he had
ordered his militia to suspend offensive operations for six months.
To do the piece cut & paste justice, I would have to cut and paste the whole thing.