THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ON IRAQ

Lieutenant General Michael D. Maples, the director of the DIA, had this to say in his prepared remarks before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence:

Violence in Iraq, as measured over the past year, continued to increase in scope, complexity, and lethality. The Sunni Arab-based insurgency continues to gain strength and capacity despite progress in the political arena and positive developments in the ISF. The conflict remains a sectarian struggle for power and the right to define Iraq‘s future identity.


Conflict in Iraq is in a self-sustaining and growing cycle in which violent acts increasingly generate retaliation. Insecurity rationalizes and justifies militias, in particular S hi‘a militias and increases fears in the Sunni Arab community.

Compare and contrast:

Q Are we winning?

THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely, we're winning. (10/25/06)