"Latest challenge to U.S. troops abroad: Children. Forces face gangs of violent Iraqi kids as young as 6."

Whether it's peacefully, a la Ghandi, or violently, as with suicide bombers. After three years of occupation, the US has systematically and deliberately lost the hearts and minds of the Iraqis. And when the 6 y/os hate you, there's a long, long like of suicide bombers awaiting. More than there is American will.

Had it not been deliberate, they would have had different rules of engagement.

The US has acted as if the most important thing was to come home alive, and caused whatever damage they had to to fulfill that mission. In ways I don't blame them, AND the "war" has been lost for that same reason.

If you'll note, in WWII that wasn't the mission.

Arf