"Since January 15, U.S. service members have conducted 98 battalion-level operations, Odierno said. The troops neutralized six car-bomb factories and dismantled four improvised-explosive-device cells. Coalition and Iraqi forces have killed 837 insurgents and terrorists and wounded 180. "

Well and good, but what else is going on?

Humanitarian progress also continues throughout Iraq, officials said. The military has partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development to produce 32,000 jobs in the country. The goal is to create 40,000 jobs before the end of June, Odierno said. The command is working with USAID to fund business loans and grants to jumpstart economic development.

The military is working to establish the Baghdad International Airport as a business zone.
Odierno said civilian deaths and sectarian killings are down in Baghdad. "There are some positive signs," he said. "But it's not enough. We still have much more to do."
Local commands in Baghdad also have invested $3.3 million in various areas around Baghdad. This helps fund garbage hauling, educational supplies, agriculture, transportation and water and sanitation improvements.

Good to see that some of the alphabet agencies on the civilian side are stepping up to the plate.

However - where are we at, compared to where we want to be?

"We have not made the progress that I think is necessary yet," the general said. "But I hope over the summer that we will continue to make progress."

Heh. Word choice matters, General. I'm reminded of a favorite saying of General Gordon Sullivan, when he was my division commander in the 1st Foot, and later here at CAC at Leavenworth and even later as Chief of Staff.

"Hope is not a method."

He even wrote a book titled that.

So, we *expect* that you will "continue to make progress," sir.