Brigadier General Larry Nicholson, the commander for Marines in southern Afghanistan, says it is no secret where the Marines will be attacking next. “Well it’s pretty obvious, there’s only one place left: that’s Marjah,” the general declared.

The Karzai government’s Haji Zair, district governor for Marjah, is optimistic that the Marines will “crush” the Taliban, giving him the opportunity to do something he hasn’t actually been able to do since his appointment: live in Marjah.

The offensive is expected to come sometime President Obama’s announced escalation, and will serve as the Marines’ latest challenge in Helmand Province, where they have launched multiple attacks over the past several months.

Brig. Gen. Nicholson insists that Marjah is the “only place left in the entire area of operations where the enemy is at.” This comment is somewhat perplexing, as other reports have a good chunk of the Helmand Province, including the roads into and out of capital Lashkar Gah, under Taliban control.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• Four Killed as Another US Drone Strike Hits Pakistan - February 8th, 2012
• Food Prices Soaring in Iran as US Sanctions Miss Regime and Hit Civilians - February 8th, 2012
• House Hearings on Balochistan: Pakistan's Kosovo? - February 8th, 2012
• Syrian Opposition Claims Massive Deaths in Homs, Clashes Reported in Daraa - February 8th, 2012
• Egypt PM: US Aid Threats Won't Stop NGO Prosecutions - February 8th, 2012