One reason it's impossible to measure the "success" of the surge is that the goal keeps changing to whatever they can spin something happy out of. So, no, increased US casualties aren't a sign that the surge failed, though the increased casualties are, you know, an obvious cost of what a Wank of Kagans, George Bush, and Michael O'Hanlon thought was an awesome idea. No, Michael, that blood won't wash out. The original goals have all been swept away as apparently they aren't important anymore.
It's a faith based occupation.
