There is no substitute for victory. If we don't have the stomach or the resolve to finish what we started then we have absolutely no business being there.
We displayed weakness. Exactly what Osama Bin Laden says - "The United States is nothing but a paper tiger." - Militant muslims worldwide are celebrating now the victory in Fallujah.
Pious moderate muslims now in many countries now question if 'divene intervention' played a role in Fallujah. How else can David beat Goliath?
"Najaf is now protected and shielded from the infidels by the hand of Allah. It is the infidels who fear Allah and that is why they are fearful to attack Najaf."
How do you define "victory"? If it's to pound Iraqi sand into glass...then we will not be victorious.
If final victory is to leave a self-governing, free Iraq...then we will be victorious.
This is a different war.