Another Illusional "Light at the end of the tunnel"

From Bill in DC

Those of us who are old enough remember the mythical "Light at the end of the tunnel" in Vietnam. As it turned out the tunnel only went half way through the mountain and the only light was at the same end we had entered. Well, we are hearing the same happy talk from Iraq and I don't see any reason to believe this tunnel is finished either.

Generals See Gains From Iraq Offensives.

BAGHDAD, Dec. 5 -- A series of large military offensives over the past few months culminating in the battle for Fallujah has given U.S. military commanders here a sense of having gained ground against Iraq's fierce insurgency, but they predict no easy victory in pressing the attack and remain particularly concerned about a rising campaign of intimidation.

Indeed, senior officers say they regard the militants as still well armed and well financed, and likely to avoid trying to mass anywhere again after losing their primary stronghold in Fallujah. The officers say they expect the insurgents to engage in more decentralized operations and sporadic attacks while stepping up threats and violence against Iraqis who serve in the government or the security forces, or who otherwise cooperate with Americans.
......[snip]......

Nonetheless, senior U.S. commanders here remain convinced that their military, political and economic strategies for Iraq are still sound, according to interviews with more than a dozen generals in recent days.

The officers said they have been heartened by evidence of greater security and stability in Iraq's southern, Shiite-populated provinces since the assault in Najaf in August against the militia of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr. They also described moves toward next month's elections as generally on track, with more than 200 political entities certified and voter registration proceeding in most of the country. The notable exceptions are the Sunni-dominated provinces of Anbar, which includes Fallujah and Ramadi, and Nineveh, which includes Mosul.

Deja Vu all over again. How long will it take until we figure out that light is no more than an illusion?