[gilliam]

why is this written as if we lost?

[don'tbedenied]

Because there are only two story lines:

Americans lose
Americans committ atrocities

It has to fit one of the story lines to be reported.

[oceanview]

because its Reuters.

[Oatka]

why is this written as if we lost?

Because "But earlier, the U.S. commander in the region, Major General Martin Dempsey said that his forces were prepared to hand over security in Najaf to a locally raised security force that could include members of Sadr's Mehdi Army."

WTF?? Sure looks that way to me if we allow that. Even if we won, those delusional people would call it a victory. God knows what they will call us backing down and allowing the thugs who started it all to now become part of the security forces.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Because he only wanted for us to pull out. If we do, he's won.