Deep sigh...

Outlook Turns Bleak in Iraq

In interviews and briefings Wednesday, the generals pulled back from recent suggestions — including by some of the same officers — that positive trends in Iraq could allow a reduction in the 138,000 U.S. troops in Iraq late this year or early in 2006.

"I think that this could still fail," the officer said at the briefing, referring to the U.S. effort in Iraq. "It's much more likely to succeed, but it could still fail."

The officer said recent polls conducted by Baghdad University had shown confidence falling, down from an 85 percent rating after the elections.

The Rising Cost of the Iraq War

The cost of the US military in Iraq is running about $5 billion a month, estimated the former Pentagon comptroller earlier this year.