Ah, the Surge, the tremendously bad decision that demonstrates "Pyrrhic Victory" no matter what happens...

Violence is increasing in Iraq, raising questions about whether the security improvements credited to the increase in U.S. troops may be short-lived.

Car bombs in Baghdad on Monday killed at least 11 people and injured a prominent leader of one of the country's most influential American-allied tribal militias.

The Ministry of Electricity announced that power to much of the nation, already anemic, is likely to lag in coming days because insurgents had blown up transmission facilities and natural gas pipelines that fuel generators.

CBS News confirmed that two of its journalists are missing in Basra, in Iraq's south.

A leading parliament member warned that budget disputes have paralyzed the legislature...

After months of declining violence, February is certain to be the third straight month to see increases in the numbers of Baghdad residents killed in car bombings and suicide attacks.

According to statistics kept by McClatchy, the low point in such killings came in November, when 76 people died. Thanks to a pair of pet market bombings that killed 99 people Feb. 1, February's tally already is 131.

Well, that doesn't sound so good -- and to think Bill Kristol told me last night on "A Daily Show" that "violence is way down" and when has he ever lied to me?. But at least we've got those "Awakening Councils" certainly no one, who anyone pays attention to, has predicted those things would ultimately fail?

Monday, a suicide car bomber drove his car into the Baghdad residence of a prominent leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, a U.S.-allied militia that's credited with helping to drive al Qaida in Iraq from that province. Five minutes later, another car bomb exploded at a busy intersection a short distance away.

The blasts killed at least 11 people and injured 30.

Surely, though this is a sign the surge is working and will draw them closer to us in a working relationship:

Later, Sheik Ali Hathem al Suleiman al Duleimy, who was injured in the attack, went on Iraqi TV and declared war against his enemies. He said that his militia, many of whose members are paid by the United States, no longer would allow the U.S. or Iraqi government to interfere with its work.

His comments came as similar U.S.-allied groups in nearby Diyala province continued to refuse to work with American or Iraqi government forces until the provincial police chief is removed. On Monday, hundreds protested in Diyala to demand the chief's removal.

Well, at least the magical surge has worked out for that John McCain guy, who had no comment.

UPDATE: Condi Rice & Bob Gates have an Op-Ed in the Washington Post today (naturally) that is truly awe-inspiring in its empty and factually challenged platitudes when compared to the McClatchy article above. But the comments are a fun read.