We kill a few, we miss a few, we keep trying. But leave it to the media to muddy the waters by snatching a maybe, could have, might be, not sure, don't ask me now, can I have a week to think about it, don't count your chickens, from a decisive victory worth celebrating.
Your syntax is a wonder to behold . . .
And yes, the media bring new meaning to the expression, "the fog of war."