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But wouldn't you agree that at least some progress has been made. The fighting has definitely shifted west. Second, it is apparent from this report as well as others that Zarqawi's thugs have lost their welcome mat and are now reduced to having to attack Sunni tribes that are unhappy with their presence on Iraqi soil. In this report, Zarqawi blew up the head of a tribe along with his son that were contesting Zarqawi's presence in Qaim. It seems to me that if Zarqawi can no longer count on the loyalty of the tribes in western Iraq, then he's lost the war.

You should also take alook at the recent reports on fighting in Tal Afar, which is also near the Syrian border. This fighting demonstrates that the insurgents have been pushed back and are fighting for their last remaining toeholds in Iraq. That would jibe with what happened in Mosul recently where the dominant Sunni tribe their attacked Zarqawi's followers after they starting killing Shiites in Mosul. Apparently, this resulted in the insurgents being pushed of Mosul and having to move westward to Tal Afar.

I would love to believe those reports, but we have heard them before only to have the enemy strike again and again from the same places. I hear that they are making inroads in Faluja and Rhamadi, AGAIN.

I understand that there is enemy support in those areas from locals, but the enemy efford would not survive if not for the outside support that enters Irq through Syria, Iran and possibly Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The war efford can not be limmited to just the Iraqi and on a simmilar note to the Afghan borders. We have to go where the enemy is.

"Zarqawi blew up the head of a tribe along with his son that were contesting Zarqawi's presence in Qaim."

This kind of stuff starts serious Blood Feuds in that culture. Zarqawi may be winning a few small battles here and there, but I think he's loosing the war.