Gen. David Petraeus said the operation began in the last 24 hours and will put forces into key areas surrounding Baghdad that, according to intelligence, al-Qaida is using to base some of its car bomb operations.
This action in the belt around the capital was always anticipated to be part of the surge. Note, too, that the headline of the article says "U.S. launches new offensive in Baghdad." In Baghdad. The offensive is outside Baghdad, but that nuance was too much for a headline. Way to go, AP. Never miss an opportunity to leave the impression that we've failed in Badghad.
