Well, the US hasn't really "lost the war in Iraq" - since the original stated objective of the war was the ouster of Saddam Hussein as Iraq's leader. The basic problem, IMHO, is that there was never a real understanding of what came next, especially by our illustrious leader. As a result, we have been flailing around ever since the military defeat of the Iraqi army, trying to define "peace" and "success". Just as we never "lost" the war in Vietnam, but rather gave up trying to define winning, it is now time (well past time) to disengage and bring the troops home - but this must be done in a deliberate, organized manner.