WTF Is It Now?!?

Makin' progress
Security deteriorates in southern Iraq: "A surge in bloodshed left at least 50 people dead in a suicide car-bombing and clashes between Shiite militia and Iraqi security forces yesterday. In a brutal contradiction of claims that violence was decreasing, street fighting in the town of Diwaniya represented some of the bloodiest clashes yet among rival factions in Shiite southern Iraq."

About 100 Iraqi Shiite soldiers have refused to "stand up" -"marking the second time Iraqi soldiers have balked at following their assignment."

The US military announced that nine US soldiers were killed over the weekend in and around Baghdad, eight by roadside bombs and one by gunfire.

Afghanistan is "going swimmingly"
NOT.

"British forces suffered their 14th combat death in Afghanistan yesterday as commanders admitted that intense fighting against the Taliban meant they were using up missiles, rockets and spares at an alarming rate. Apache helicopters have been particularly hard hit with a senior Army source claiming that stocks of weapons and components meant to last until April next year could be used up well before Christmas."