Mini Surge in Afghanistan, American Soldier Captured

It appears that the Marines, specifically the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, has embarked on a mini surge of sorts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/01/AR2009070103202_pf.html

"Thousands of U.S. Marines descended upon the volatile Helmand River valley in helicopters and armored convoys early Thursday, mounting an operation that represents the first large-scale test of the U.S. military's new counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan.

The operation will involve about 4,000 troops from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which was dispatched to Afghanistan this year by President Obama to combat a growing Taliban insurgency in Helmand and other southern provinces. The Marines, along with an Army brigade that is scheduled to arrive later this summer, plan to push into pockets of the country where NATO forces have not had a presence. In many of those areas, the Taliban has evicted local police and government officials and taken power."

Unrelated to the mini surge, an American soldier was apparently captured by the terrorists in Afghanistan. The soldier is thought to have walked off the post without any fellow American soldiers, a big no-no.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31703681/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia

"Insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan after he walked off post with three Afghan counterparts, officials said Thursday.

U.S. military spokeswoman Capt. Elizabeth Mathias said the soldier disappeared Tuesday.

"We have all available resources out there looking for him and hopefully providing for his safe return," she said."

No more additional troops to Afghanistan (http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/02/jim-jones-to-us-commanders-in-afghanistan-wtf)?