IRAQ:
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- In what has been one of the deadliest months in Iraq, the U.S. Army officer in charge of coalition ground forces in the country said Tuesday that the tempo of attacks on U.S.-led troops has escalated.
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez told reporters that the number of daily engagements between troops and guerrillas has doubled from the mid-teens to 30 to 35 within the last two months.
"What we're seeing is that unmistakenly the number of engagements per day are increasing," Sanchez said.
moreWASHINGTON
On Veterans Day just one year ago, Bush was threatening to commit the "full force and might" of U.S. military against Saddam Hussein unless he quickly disarmed.
This year, the Bush administration finds itself empty-handed in the search for these weapons of mass destruction. And daily attacks against remaining troops have pushed the U.S. death toll to nearly 400, with more than half of those since the president declared an end to major combat operations on May 1.
Bartlett rejected criticism, mostly from Democrats, that Bush lacks a solid strategy for postwar Iraq.
"Those who claim there is not a strategy are using empty words that are not backed up by facts," he said. "The president has enunciated a clear strategy for victory in Iraq."
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seems to me the lack of strategy is backed up by increasing attacks, more 'transfer tubes' and the flight of international aid agencies.... but maybe I'm the one with the disconnect...