This will be a quick update on the massive ongoing operation by 4,000 Marines in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. So far, 11 NATO troops have been killed in a 2 day period, mostly outside of Helmand and no significant engagements with the Taliban occurred. It now appears that the Taliban anticipated the offensive and have outflanked it, launching a counteroffensive in sectors weakly held by NATO allies or whose garrisons have been depleted for the operation.
The Marines intend to apply the clear and hold strategy of the Iraqi surge, setting up strongholds in the vital Helmand River Valley which produces much of the world's opium, and to enable the August presidential elections to be held there. This is a Pashtu area and Pashtu votes are supposed to benefit the Pashtu incumbent President Karzai.
No airstrikes or artillery have been used in this operation, in accordance with the new strategy for minimizing civilian casualties. However, the American airstrike campaign has intensified in Pakistan, with dozens of missile strikes killing an estimated 50 people this week alone.