"SHOCK AND AWE," PART II

I have a feeling that this isn't winning over many hearts and minds.

U.S. military steps up war-zone airstrikes
By Jim Michaels, USA TODAY
10/21/2007

The U.S. military has increased airstrikes in Iraq fivefold this year, reflecting a steep escalation in combat operations aimed at al-Qaeda and other militants.

Coalition forces launched 1,140 airstrikes in the first nine months of this year compared with 229 in all of last year, according to military statistics.

Airstrikes are up in Afghanistan, too. Coalition planes have made 2,764 bombing runs this year, up from 1,770 last year. The figures don't include strikes by helicopter gunships.