[MNJohnnie]

deed, comprehensive data released by the NATO-led command show a steady escalation in violence since NATO took charge of the Afghanistan mission in 2006, spurred in part by more aggressive operations by the alliance and most recently by U.S. Marine battalions in the heavily contested southern province of Helmand. ISAF troops in Afghanistan increased from 36,000 in early 2007 to 52,000 now, while the Afghan army grew from 20,000 to 58,000 soldiers

Might want to read the whole thing rather then cherry pick certain data out. We are operating much more aggressively so of course attacks are going up.

[Sacajaweau]

You’re right...Attacks are offensive or defensive??

[SevenMinusOne]

Might want to read the whole thing rather then cherry pick certain data out. We are operating much more aggressively so of course attacks are going up.

Bingo! - Reality is Stan has seen "centuries" worth of progress in many respects (in less than 6 years).....Stan is night and day compared to 01 - Of course the MSM look for meaningless stats that in and of themselves are meaningless (without context).

The Taliban (Pak-Tali) and AQ are out in the Mtns, but they have been completely routed/defeated as a viable controlling / Gov't influencing force of any kind.

Yes, the next phase of Stan will push us into the Pak border regions (if the Pak Tali choose not to force out the AQ elements within them......which they could in a drop of a hat if our pressure becomes to much.....Or they may choose to fight...and die) but that is where this next phase goes (18-24 months later than it should have started, probably, but so what, that is life).