More Good News From Iraq

"Iraqi security forces are in the lead in Basra, Mosul and Sadr City."

A continuing cease-fire agreement in Baghdad's Sadr City, the home of Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, made between Sadr's militia and the Iraqi government has helped dampen violence and Iraqi security forces are now conducting security patrols.

It was also noted that Iraq has seen a significant reduction in violence

Navy Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll told reporters that, "In the past week, security incidents decreased to levels not seen since March of 2004."

In fact, insurgent attacks have declined by 70 percent since the surge of forces began in June, the admiral added.

Nonetheless, Driscoll predicted "more hard fighting ahead" in Iraq as its citizens increasingly cooperate with government forces in efforts to smoke out terrorists and other criminals.

"As criminals and terrorists flee their hideouts, we continue to uncover large quantities of weapons in residential neighborhoods and public buildings," Driscoll said.

Since the beginning of operations in Basra, he noted, Iraqi security forces have collected close to 270 caches of medium- and heavy-caliber ordnance.

Some of the most-lethal weaponry uncovered in Iraq in recent weeks is of Iranian manufacture, Driscoll said, hinting at a longer-term problem that must be addressed before peace can fully return to this beleaguered land.

"Local residents who are tired of the violence and criminal activity are increasingly pointing out where these weapons are hidden," Driscoll also said.

During a May 24th visit to observe reconstruction projects in the southern-Iraqi city of Najaf, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker avoided saying al-Qaida in Iraq is finished.

Crocker did say, however, that al-Qaida in Iraq has "never been closer to defeat than they are now."

Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al Askari was even more upbeat in his opinions, telling reporters that, "Ambassador Crocker was right in his statement. Al-Qaida in Iraq is being defeated."

Citing recent intelligence data, the Iraqi general said al-Qaida is frustrated at its lack of operational success since the surge of forces took hold.

"They say that they cannot carry out the operations and they would like to find another place outside of Iraq," Askari said of information about al-Qaida in Iraq's present state of mind. "And this is due to the security gains and also the development of the Iraqi security forces and the [Iraqi] intelligence."

It is remarkable however, how much of this news does not make the evening newscasts or the bulk of the mainstream media.

You could almost imagine that they do not want the American public to know of the sea-change in Iraq.

It is about time the good news gets published, not just the bad.

Until that day, everyday people will be right in mistrusting the mainstream media and questioning their agendas.