"The US is planning to deploy thousands of extra troops in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in an attempt to combat the deteriorating security situation."

"When the two leaders met in Baghdad last month, President Bush offered support to a newly-formed government which had just been boosted by the killing of the insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

"The mood then was unusually positive, reports the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington - but this latest meeting comes on the back of a failed security operation in Baghdad."

That's just the capital. Over three years into this situation, and not even the capital is a safe place, for Americans or Iraqis. Bodes ill for "winning".

Arf