"Who's winning? ...Al Qaeda has regrouped and is able to fight a civil war in Iraq. ... The American people are losing." - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Dec 18, 2007
"They like this war. They want this war to continue" - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Dec 13, 2007
In summary, tactical and operational momentum has been achieved, and there have been notable overall improvements in the security situation. These improvements, combined with an increase in provincial government expenditure rates, have contributed to improvements in the delivery of essential services and other key programs to the Iraqi people. Cooperation with Iraqi and Coalition forces by tribal leaders—both Sunni and Shi’a—has advanced “bottom-up” reconciliation and assisted in countering extremism. The numerous “tribal awakening” movements and the CLC program are making progress at the local level, but challenges remain at the national level. The key to long-term success will be the GoI’s ability to capitalize upon local gains, pass key legislation and promote national reconciliation....
While AQI retains the ability to conduct high profile attacks, it is mostly on the defensive and faces dwindling support within Iraq. Coordinated security operations have pushed much of AQI from its strongholds in the Baghdad area. “Bottom-up” reconciliation initiatives such as the tribal-based security initiatives and CLC movements have spread beyond Anbar to both Sunni and Shi’a tribes. Support from the international community for Iraq continues to build, and Iraq and Turkey have been able to manage increased tensions on their border. Sustaining these gains will depend on continued political, economic and diplomatic progress. - Pentagon Report to Congress Dec 7, 2007
