Don't Call It a Surge

The fog of war: On July 2, U.S. Marines began their biggest offensive in Afghanistan since 2001, driving deep into the pivotal southern Helmand province to extend the NATO-controlled "green zone" and establish a new base in the town of Khanishin. The 4,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are part of 10,000 additional U.S. troops recently deployed to the country and are accompanied by about 650 Afghan soldiers. Operation Khanjar (Thrust of the Sword) is their first major operation. Above, Marines wait for helicopter transport at the beginning of their mission.

Photo: MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images

123456789NEXT