Surging

Updates at Michael Yon, IraqSlogger, Mudville Gazette, and The Fourth Rail. The current concern isn't winning the battle, but preventing Al-Qaida's leaders from escaping, so U.S. troops need not return to fight them again. Local Iraqi commanders are not considered competent or motivated enough even to deliver humanitarian aid - not a surprise after the revelations of Iraqi unconcern in the Iraqi Orphans Scandal.