"We are winning." (Republican applause)

Slowly, the radius of control has shrunk in Iraq. The thing to take note of here, beyond the echoes of so many other similar incidents, is that this took place inside the "secure" Green Zone in Bagdhad.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. troops in Iraq fired warning shots at the Canadian envoy's car on Tuesday after his convoy failed to slow down while approaching an American military convoy, the U.S. military said on Wednesday. ......

"The Canadian ambassador's vehicle did sustain damage yesterday from U.S. military gunfire," said the statement.

Elsewhere, (AP)

The lack of Iraqi troops has complicated not only the operation in Bidimnah early Sunday, but also the broader mission here in Anbar province.

American commanders said an entire Iraqi brigade, about 2,500 troops, has taken over parts of the nearby city of Khaldiyah and an adjacent agrarian area from U.S. troops. But U.S. military advisers who mentor the Iraqi unit said just over half those assigned Iraqi soldiers were actually present.

The Iraqi brigade already was short several hundred soldiers before they deployed to Anbar province from the northern city of Mosul, the advisers said, and about 500 more deserted when they arrived in late August and faced their first insurgent attacks.

But... But.... Last night, Bush said "we are winning" to thunderous applause from the Republicans.