William Buckley argues that the time has arrived to acknowledge defeat in Iraq. Despite the torrent of violence however there is still room for optimism, and it is Victor Davis Hanson who - fresh from an Iraq visit - explains why. Both projections are on the outer bands of pessimism and optimism, but even if we allow Hanson's generous take to prevail, Iraq will continue to be a heavily militarized zone where dissent and ethnic sentiments will have to be suppressed for decades to come. Hardly a democratic win, but neither a loss to Islamist and Baathist troupes.