Don't Call It a Surge

A wave of U.S. troops entered Afghanistan this month, but don't dare call it a surge. President Barack Obama's preferred terms are "increase," "reinforcement," and "enabling forces." Meanwhile, July has proven to be the deadliest month for foreign troops in Afghanistan.

BY ADITI NANGIA | JULY 17, 2009

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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

 

Aditi Nangia is an editorial researcher at Foreign Policy.