QUOTE
U.S. troops have launched a "major operation" against Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, U.S. military officials announced in Afghanistan early Thursday.
About 4,000 Americans, mostly from the Marines, and 650 Afghan soldiers and police launched Operation Khanjar -- "strike of the sword" -- in the Helmand River valley, the U.S. command in Kabul announced.
About 4,000 Americans, mostly from the Marines, and 650 Afghan soldiers and police launched Operation Khanjar -- "strike of the sword" -- in the Helmand River valley, the U.S. command in Kabul announced.
What I don't understand is the purpose of calling the operation that. It seems like talking about being fierce with a sword plays into Taliban extremism, so that would be like extra riling, vendetta fanning, being that we're using it. The sword is their thing (metaphorically-jihad wise it comes off like a sacred tool, and literally sometimes) Maybe it makes no difference, just wonder why a U.S. operation against the Taliban goes by a name that sounds like it would be theirs.