I do not think that thing means what you think it means

The AP reports today that the recent US "surge" in Iraq is so very successful in limiting the ability of Al Qaeda to strike back at us that they may end up having to...strike back at us.

The U.S. military expects al Qaeda in Iraq to strike back with "spectacular attacks" after major U.S.-led offensives that have disrupted its activities, a military spokesman said on Wednesday.

Um, wha? Huh? Explain to me how this is possible?