> many have died (though the number of dead is
> approaching 3,000 - a non-trivial figure)
The death count is also understated due to the widespread use of US civilian contractors for truck driving and other logistical tasks -- probably 500 have died so far. Throw in casualties among the coalition of the shilling, and the Empire's body count is 3,500 dead, 30,000 physically wounded, and at least 50,000 more traumatized or shell-shocked.
One other point: the insurgency is going to become inconceivably more deadly for the US occupiers. Hezbollah has shown how to spank conventional armies with anti-tank weapons and small group tactics. The insurgents watched this carefully. Within six months, they'll start applying similar tactics. Within a year, Iraq is going to turn into a gigantic kill-zone.
-- DRR