I don't think the USA were winning the V war at any stage. They failed to understand that miliary might alone won't do it and the NV used the press to win this side of the battle whilst constantly rebuilding military stocks.
I'm concerned about your mention that in Iraq they don't have "an exit strategy". Surely any military conflict must have a "victory strategy" backed with a list of well defined criteria. "Exit" sounds like leaving the mess behind rather than fixing the problem.
