There is no reason to believe or even to imagine that either of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will be resolved in anything resembling "victory."
The average American citizen knows enough about each of these countries and their regional histories to know that nothing like "success" is possible.
"Winning" or "losing" will be defined both individually and nationally by Americans in deaths and injuries.
In fact, this was obvious and known from the start.
It is ignorant and dishonest for anyone to boast that they have the prowess to win these wars. Bringing these wars or at least America's involvement in these wars to some reasonable end is the best anyone can do.
These are wars in which only short-term American tactical gains or losses are possible.
Iraqi political leaders know they potentially have much to gain by having us leave now and that potentially if they don't have us leave now we may never leave. Afghani political leaders know they potentially have much to gain by having us stay as long as we don't kill too many Afghani citizens.
The Afghans and Iraqis will decide their futures based on choices they make today and tomorrow, not based on any choice Americans have made or will make.
Our soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq will do their best for us; we are right to be proud of them and their efforts; our pride is best felt and most well received when it is genuine and realistic.