The urge to surge

[formercia]

http://kcbd.com/global/story.asp?s=5912935&ClientType=Printable

Scholar who helped write "surge" plan disputes characterizations

WASHINGTON It's become a popular term when talking about a potential troop increase in Iraq -- calling it a "surge."
But the scholar who helped write the troop buildup plan given to President Bush says the problem is, too many people are using too many different definitions of surge.

The American Enterprise Institute's Frederick Kagan (KAY'-gihn) tells A-P Radio the proposal he co-wrote calls for thousands more American troops to move in and help overhaul the U-S counterinsurgency mission. And he says the proposal sees them staying there anywhere from 18 to 24 months, not just a few months.

Kagan says nothing in the proposal suggests the idea is simply to "surge" troops for a brief period. He says many people seem to be discussing different plans and mixing terms.