All this skepticism, and statements that democracy is Iraq is failing...
First off, the fact that 70 percent of the Iraqi population took part in the elections tells me that democracy in Iraq is succeeding.
Bush's strategy seems fine to me. It appears to be working because there have been less bombings, and less deaths in Iraq. His strategy may seem weak, but he isn't going to give the public a page-by-page briefing is he? No, that would kind of enlighten our enemy as to our plans. That would be bad.
The British haven't been defeated. They are beginning a phased
withdrawal, not retreat, from Iraq. This is only after bombing and attacks have decreased to practically nonexistent in southern Iraq. One thing that may support this is the small death toll for the British troops: 130 dead. Basically, the only very violent part of Iraq is central Iraq: i.e. Baghdad, and Anbar. Kurdistan is perfectly peaceful (no attacks whatsoever), southern Iraq is mostly subdued (sporadic attacks), the main problems in the east and west is mostly the borders where
foreigners are bringing in supplies for the insurgency that is comprised of a large amount of foreigners (meaning al Quieda) as well.
From all this I infer that we are succeeding in Iraq, and that the British haven't been defeated.