WE? OR THEY?:

U.S. Sees Decline In Bombs In Iraq: Fewer Projectiles Linked to Iran, but Officials Are Wary (Ann Scott Tyson, 11/02/07, Washington Post)

The number of explosively formed projectiles (EFPs) that have been detonated or found in Iraq has dropped by nearly half in recent months, from a peak of 99 in July to 53 last month, Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the commander in charge of day-to-day military operations in Iraq, said yesterday in a videoconference with Pentagon reporters.

Violence in Iraq has declined by several measures over the past four months, according to U.S. military data, a development that Gates hailed as a success. But in response to a question during a separate Pentagon briefing, he stopped short of saying the United States is "winning" in Iraq.

"Those end up being loaded words," Gates said. "We have been very successful. We need to continue being successful."