It is going to get a lot worse, and soon.

The New York Times reported on Sunday, 9/19/04, that a Major Offensive is Planned for end of year to retake cities under rebel control.

The adminstration has started tapping into its emergency fund in anticipation of intense fighting this fall.

“Rep. John Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat and ranking member on the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, said he had learned of plans for a massive, post-election call-up from officials at the Pentagon.”
San Jose Mercury News, Sept, 17, 2004. The White House denied it.

Last fall an ad ran on the DoD website for people to fill local draft boards, "if a military draft becomes necessary." These boards have languished for years, unfilled. When the press noticed, the announcement was pulled.

In April 2004 Sen.  Chuck Hagel (R-NE), told the Senate Foreign Relations and the "Today Show" that the US is engaged in a long-term war against terrorism, already 40 percent of the ground troops in Iraq are from the National Guard and Reserves, and the US is "making commitments for future years that we cannot fulfill" with current troop levels.  Hagel, the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, appeared on the "Today Show" with Sen.  Joe Biden (D-DE), who also would not rule out a draft.

20,000 members of the National Guard in Iraq have already been “drafted” by virtual of stop/loss.

Doesn’t this all remind anyone of another conflict? Beef up the number of troops, launch major new offensives in support of an umpopular regime, then after everything is settled down, get out, Robert Novak, not withstanding. Except the native people didn't settle down. Instead we got bogged down and 58,000 Americans died.