"Crushing defeat for the harbingers of hate."  Sounds good.  Like to believe that. 

"A battle not seen since World War Two."  Nope.  Didn't see it then, either, moon.  See my comment re: D-Day to Paris.  

The "best-trained" Iraqi forces STILL lost 40% to rag-tag bands of guerrillas who rely mainly on small-arms fire??  Coalition could ask pretty uncomfortable questions about training and the will-to-win.

And spare us the rhetoric about "human shields" and "protecting the civilians."  The people of Mosul were given ample opportunity to escape--WEEKS AND WEEKS of it, (Only 1/3 of the city's population saved themselves by leaving.) They had an advantage the people of Cherbourg didn't have.  Did that stop the Allies? No.  War is war, sacrifices must be made. 

I suspect "human shield" stuff--while possibly true-- a handy excuse to AVOID fighting.  Also suspect that war has truly become a way of life...and provides a good life for Iraqi troops: feed, housed, clothed, in a destitute land.