The death toll in Afghanistan is on course to be the highest ever this year, and, as one would expect, the number of wounded U.S. troops is reaching all time highs as well. Through July 3, 2,000 Americans have been wounded in Afghanistan; in June alone, 517 Americans were wounded. That compares to 2,139 wounded in 2009.
Pentagon officials have long warned that the U.S. casualty toll would climb as the surge troops arrive and push into areas where the Taliban have enjoyed free reign over the past eight years. IED attacks, which have increased 22 percent over last year, continue to be the single biggest cause of coalition casualties
-- Greg Grant
