Afstan: What's happening there?

Three stories today, all front page:

1) Globe and Mail:

Top soldier denies significant increase in violence
Assertion contradicts data showing rise in Taliban attacks

2) National Post:

Afghan tours will not be extended
Defence chief makes secret visit to Kandahar

3) Toronto Star:

Canada's defence chief sees hope
The Taliban are 'not 10 feet tall'

I think the Star story is actually the best piece of reporting. The Globe, naturally, stresses doom and gloom. But new CDS General Natynczyk, and senior CF officers, seem increasingly to be following a line of "don't worry, be happy"--which, coincidentally (?) suits our government well. Should our senior officers continue in this fashion without more, er, context I fear for their credibility. I was more generous at this recent post.

Update: A topic thread at Milnet.ca generally takes a different view, in dealing with a column by Jeffrey Simpson and Globe editorial July 15.