[optimistically_conservative]

That said, the shift in momentum is unmistakeable: for those who doubt this, run a search on the last time any of the usual suspects used the word "Vietnam" or "quagmire" in relation to Iraq.

That's actually the second sign of progress. When's the last time you heard the "its a powder keg" reference to the Middle East.

[Prodigal Son]

I hadn't really thought about it but it's true. I haven't really heard the word quagmire thrown around so much anymore.