This is what they mean by "progress"

Kevin Drum publishes a compelling table appearing to make mincemeat of any claim that the “surge” is bringing progress to Iraq. Recognizing that seasons are a major factor in violence levels, he finds the following comparison between June/July of 2006 vs. the same months of 2007: Iraqi security forces killed up from 349 to 429; people killed in multiple fatality bombings up from 885 to 1053; American soldiers killed up from 104 to 186 (up 80%!); U.S. soldiers wounded up 983 to 1423; estimated size of insurgency from 20,000 to 70,000; attacks on oil and gas pipelines up from 8 to 14. Production of gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel is down. So is electricity generation.

Things are getting better, so we have to stay to keep the momentum. Things are getting worse, so we have to stay to keep trying. If you work for these people, you get to take your pick.