Is the 'surge' working?

This week, US forces in Iraq are scheduled to reach full strength under the 'New Way Forward' or 'surge' initiative to wipe out sectarian violence and bring security to the country.

	May-03	May-04	May-05	May-06	May-07
Source: The New York Times
US Troops in Iraq ('000s)	150	150	138	132	150
US Troop Deaths	37	80	79	69	123
Iraqi Security Forces ('000s)	0	136	168	266	349
Iraqi Security Force Fatalities	50	100	259	150	198
Monthly Attacks (on Coal./ Civ.)	150	1700	1900	3500	4200
Civilian Deaths	500	1025	1000	2670	2750

It is interesting to study statistics from May, almost exactly halfway through the surge. If a reduction in attacks and casualties are the criteria for gauging the success of President George Bush's plan, the figures above make for gloomy reading. 

Overall levels of violence against both coalition forces and civilians remain very high in comparison with the Iraq of 2003 through 2005. The increased number of raids conducted by US and Iraqi forces per day help explain the rising death tolls, which may offer hope of a calmer future.

US generals have insisted that the success or failure of the surge cannot legitimately be assessed until September, when General David Petraeus will present a six-month review of the yearlong operation to the US Congress.