Violence is up in the Baghdad belts because U.S. and Iraqi forces have been aggressively attacking al Qaeda bases in those areas.

The surge of U.S. troops in Iraq is generating some promising results. While we cannot yet call it a total success, we likewise cannot yet call it a failure.

Despite recent setbacks, the United States can still succeed in Afghanistan with President Barack Obama's policy, the military’s strategy, and especially General David Petraeus's leadership.

What General David Petraeus is learningfrom past U.S. mistakes in Iraq.

Success will be achieved in Iraq whenit is a stable, representative state that controls its own territory, is oriented toward the West, and is an ally in the war on terror.

France's great-gaming and obduracy may just block a U.N. mandate that would unleash more foreign soldiers on Iraqi soil.

It is unlikely that Iraqis will easily accept the authority of foreign troops--especially foreign Muslim troops.

A clever commander like McChrystal and the capable troops he leads will no doubt figure out how to make the most of what they have got. But a half-surge would seem to cut their prospects of winning by more than half.