U.S.-trained Iraqi cops and National Guard troops are starting to win some battles by themselves:

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq -- Iraqi police and national guardsmen beat back an insurgent attack on a police station just south of Baghdad on Dec. 12, fueling optimism that the fledgling security forces are growing more confident and capable even in the face of a concerted campaign of intimidation and terror...

The successful defense of the Rasheed station -- the third in recent weeks -- represents an important psychological victory for the local ISF, who were not yet strong enough earlier this year to prevent the destruction by insurgents of police stations in other south-central cities and towns, including Yusufiyah, Lutafiyah, Haswah, Jurf as Sakhr and Musayyib.

“This engagement is just the latest in which the Iraqi Security Forces have proven themselves in combat,” said Col. Ron Johnson, commander of the 24th MEU. “It demonstrates that a properly trained and equipped Iraqi unit can stand, fight and win.”

Nothing succeeds like success, so this would appear to be a good sign.