US Mounts New Military Offensive Ahead of Afghan Elections

The U.S. is going back on the attack to help ensure Afghan elections.

Major Jon Siepmann, a U.S. spokesman, says the new countrywide operation, dubbed "Lightning Resolve," aims to protect civilians against militants opposed to the coming elections.

Afghanistan is due to vote for president on October 9 and for a parliament next spring, replacing the transitional government that has ruled since a U.S.-Afghan alliance ousted the former hard-line Taleban regime in 2001.

Remnants of the Taleban have been waging an armed struggle against the current government. They want to block the elections, which they say are meant to ensure U.S. domination over Afghanistan.

Be democratic or die. Not quite "Don't tread on me" but it'll do.