Bush, Advisers Make Surprise Visit to Iraq  —  AL ASAD AIRBASE, Anbar Province, Iraq, Sept. 3 — On the eve of major administration decisions on U.S. strategy in Iraq, President Bush, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and top U.S. military leaders including …

Combat deaths in Iraq decline; reasons aren't clear  —  WASHINGTON — American combat deaths in Iraq have dropped by half in the three months since the buildup of 28,000 additional U.S. troops reached full strength, surprising analysts and dividing them as to why.

Bush, in Iraq, Sees Possible Reduction in Troop Levels  —  On a surprise visit to Iraq today for meetings with his commanders and top Iraqi officials, President Bush raised the possibility that some American troops could be withdrawn from Iraq if security there continues to improve.

Bush Drops By Iraq  —  George Bush decided to kick-start the September debate on Iraq by getting his own feet on the ground in Anbar.  He'll visit the troops, but more importantly meet directly with Nouri al-Maliki to determine how well the newly-announced political reform agreement is faring …

TROOP COMBAT DEATHS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY  —  The title to the piece is "Combat deaths in Iraq decline; reasons aren't clear": … So why are deaths down?  Well one reason is called "planning".  The other is "experience".  Michael Yon gave us a clue a month or so ago:

WHAT EXIT?  FALLUJAH!  —  JERSEY MARINES DO U.S. PROUD  —  Jersey rules.  The Marines of 1st Platoon, Fox Company, 3rd Battal ion, 3rd Marines aren't living large, but they're making a huge difference.  Bunking in a police precinct headquarters in Fallujah, they're at the forward edge of our current successes in Iraq.

Bush/Cheney in Iraq: Winning By Failing  —  The chart at left (click on it to enlarge) was compiled by The Washington Monthly's Kevin Drum in response to Juan Cole's assessment of claims the surge is a "success."  I guess the President's sneak visit to Iraq this morning …