'Operation Phantom Thunder' renamed 'Operation Last Chance'.

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1638128,00.html

It is, indeed, a moment of truth in Iraq. "This is a decisive phase," a member of Petraeus' staff told me and began to laugh. "That's one of our favorite jokes. It's always a decisive phase. But this time, I guess you'd have to say, it actually is." Operation Phantom Thunder, the nationwide offensive launched by U.S. and Iraqi troops in mid-June, may well be the last major U.S-led offensive of the war. "We couldn't really call it what it is, Operation Last Chance," says a senior military official. There is widespread awareness among the military and diplomatic players in Baghdad that, with patience dwindling in Washington, they have only until September — when Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker are due to give Congress a progress report — to show significant gains in taming the jihadist insurgency and in arresting the country's descent into civil war. Phantom Thunder is an effort to dislodge al-Qaeda from its bases of operation in the suburban belts north and south of Baghdad, and — using intelligence from al-Qaeda's former allies in the Sunni insurgency — to prevent the terrorists from settling in elsewhere in the country. Petraeus says that the entire U.S.-led coalition force, which includes 160,000 American troops, is involved in the operation in one way or another. "We're not doubling down here," he told me. "We're all in."

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We could come up with a few nifty 'Operation' names I'm sure.

[Heidi]

1. I could go for a little "Operation Get The Hell Outta Dodge"

right about now. :hi:

[Philosoraptor]

2. Or 'Operation Declare Victory', same diff.

Like with Vietnam, only the U.S. eventually left, they couldn't really call it victory, though many tried. But with the neo con wars, they don't plan on ever leaving.:hi:

[ClintonTyree]

3. Operation last chance?

Until the NEXT operation last chance, that is. Victory is always right around the corner, if we'd only give the pResident and the generals all the tools, time and money they need. :eyes: How often have we heard that before and how many more times will we hear it in the future? Just a little while longer, we're making terrific progress. Just a few "dead-enders".

Leaving Iraq? I'll believe it when I see it.

[Philosoraptor]

4. Oh yeah, the Sept. Report will say that we must stay 6 more months minimum.

[Philosoraptor]

5. ............

[gratuitous]

6. Operation Phantom Menace

Palpatine is set to declare himself emperor.

[genie_weenie]

7. Operation 'Everyones Al Qaeda'

Progress! Terror! Victory! Freedom!

[Philosoraptor]

8. Operation Clever Name

[Philosoraptor]

9. ............