The NY Times, recently rededicated to accurate coverage of Iraq, has managed to make a victory look like a surrender.

U.S. Suspends Fighting in Najaf After Deal With Rebel Cleric

Leaders of the American-led occupation in Iraq agreed today to suspend offensive operations in the Shiite holy city of Najaf after local leaders struck a deal with a radical cleric who has led a two-month resistance to American-led coalition troops.

The developments represent a breakthrough in the unrelenting and bloody standoff...

Let's see..recent NYT articles report that American forces chasing al-Sadr out of Karabllah, "killing hundreds of Mahdi Army fighters" (with I believe zero US deaths) and killing dozens of militia men in Najaf in recent days.

This is a standoff?!? Sounds to me like al-Sadr is suing for peace. Where are the congratulations for those that planned and prosecuted these battles?

Here, the Associated Press uses the same language:

Coalition Suspends Operations in Najaf in Response to Offer by Shiite Radical to End Standoff

Thank G-d for the Shiite Radical for offering us a way out of this mini-quagmire!