This is why the stakes are so high, and why we must not interrupt the surge. This is why there can never be a so-called “political settlement” unless and until the U.S. can militarily cripple al Qaeda in Iraq. Only then can a political settlement be reached, one that can provide for a healthy representative government, oil sharing, proportional staffing in ministries, and on down the line.

Without question, it is a near certainty that Iran and Syria are helping al Qaeda with money, arms, and explosives. And yes, if we leave now, al Qaeda will have an open field in which to expand their operations and prepare for the ultimate attack on the United States. In fact, the Defense Department and the CIA just nabbed a high-ranking al Qaeda operative known as al-Iraqi. He was a key link between the Taliban in Afghanistan, al Qaeda in Iraq, and al Qaeda members in Iran. And while it’s great news we got him, he’s one more reminder that this network is strong and playing for keeps.

Another reality, too often overlooked, is that the U.S. successfully removed Saddam Hussein from the world scene. We ended a ruthless, tyrannical dictatorship. We fostered three heavily participated elections in Iraq, and helped establish a new democratic government in the center of the Middle East. These are important accomplishments. Yet the stated goal of al Qaeda is to sabotage all of this. Their aim is to prevent representative government in the region, since their twisted totalitarian ideology opposes such developed-world things.

The Harry Reids in Washington don’t get it. They fail to see the terrorist fingerprints. But when you look at Iraq through the Lieberman lens, the dust settles. The task before us becomes clearer. Why are we in Iraq? We are fighting al Qaeda. Period.

A final question for Mr. Reid: If, as he says, we have “lost” the Iraq war, who exactly has won? Who is the winner, Senator Reid? Who would you like the United States to surrender to?

It’s not the Sunnis. It’s not the Baathists. It’s not the Shiites. And it’s certainly not Prime Minister Maliki. In conventional warfare terms, Harry Reid is suggesting we surrender to al Qaeda.

Does the majority leader of the U.S. Senate understand his own unthinkable conclusion?