There appear to be two versions of reality when it comes to "progress" in the Iraq war. There's that of Gen. David Petraeus, backed by the Bush administration, who testified before Congress yesterday that "the military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met."

And then there is a starkly different reality, shown through separate reports by the National Intelligence Estimate, the Government Accountability Office and the Jones Commission. Each documents the failure of the Iraqi government to meet a majority of the political reform benchmarks set by the president in January.

The truth is, when it comes to this seemingly endless war, there is only one reality that both the administration and Congress must come to believe: A renewed and vigorous effort in political and diplomatic strategies in Iraq are key to achieving measurable success.

Petraeus testified that in recent months, there has been progress on security in Iraq. But a surge will not sustain that security unless the country is able to find political stability. This not only means exercising diplomacy within the country, but with its regional neighbors as well, who have just as much at stake in the success or failure of Iraq as the U.S. does, if not more.

As The Washington Post reported, Iraq is slowly settling into its own form of government, which consists of a "loose confederation of at least three self-governing regions." Furthermore, Iraqi sectarianism remains "undiminished."

This is a far cry from the new Iraq that was supposed to emerge after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

For the most part, Congress believes there must be a change in course. Now the onus is on its members to spur that belief into sensible action. Yes, the buck stops with the administration, but it's Congress' job to make sure the buck gets there.

Luckily, Hawai'i's congressional delegates agree. "Our men and women in uniform have accomplished everything asked of them in Iraq — and everything they are capable of," said Rep. Mazie Hirono. "For months we have known that the future of Iraq will depend not on military force but on political achievements and diplomatic efforts."

This is a war that has cost our nation dearly in time, money and, most importantly, precious lives. The time for diplomacy and a political strategy is long overdue — and the time for Congress to help make that a reality is now.