The military action in Iraq has now become the longest active conflict in U.S. history. There are days that seem to point to incremental successes and days that are deeply disappointing but no days that offer definitive evidence that the military action is achieving its goals. This is a war without a "front"; there is no movement of troops from secure friendly territory to enemy territory, as in most previous wars, to furnish evidence that an advance is being made against the opponent. Destructive events occur repeatedly in the same--or very nearby--places. U.S. occupation of territory seems unable to ensure its safety or stability.
Despite the surge in combat troops and changes made in both civilian and military leadership, many of the issues have remained unresolved, and judgments as to whether the situation has improved are just as divided as opinions about the wisdom of the original action. Can we learn anything now that we could not have known earlier, and can anything be done to stop the psychological and financial toll that the war in Iraq is costing?