A U.S. Marine from Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, patrols near the village of Sorkhdoz in Afghanistan's lower Helmand River Valley July 4, 2009. Thousands of U.S. Marines launched a major offensive in southern Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold and major opium poppy producing area, on Thursday, the first big operation of U.S. President Barack Obama's new regional strategy to defeat the Taliban and stabilise Afghanistan. Reuters Pictures 5 months ago

A U.S. Marine from Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, patrols near the village of Sorkhdoz in Afghanistan's lower Helmand River Valley July 4, 2009. Thousands of U.S. Marines launched a major offensive in southern Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold and major opium poppy producing area, on Thursday, the first big operation of U.S. President Barack Obama's new regional strategy to defeat the Taliban and stabilise Afghanistan.