More unpleasant surprises await American troops in Iraq

By Steve Chapman

Originally published May 18, 2005

We feel right now that we have, as I mentioned, broken the back of the insurgency.

- Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, Nov. 18, after offensive against Fallujah

CHICAGO - Could it be that we've misclassified the insurgency in Iraq - that it's an invertebrate, able to absorb bone-crushing blows because it has no bones to crush? It seems to be more like a dandelion, which, when smashed, only spreads more seeds.

Seven months after U.S. forces leveled the enemy stronghold, the insurgents are causing as much trouble as ever. The lull in violence that followed the January elections was taken to mean the rebels were in disarray. If so, they've regrouped, and Iraq has reverted to chaos. Nearly twice as many Iraqi security personnel died in attacks in March as in January. April was almost as bad. May looks worse still.