http://www.easyxtras.com/News/us-launches-helmand-offensive-against-taliban/ American marines and Afghan troops poured into southern Afghanistan today in the first major test of Barack Obama's strategy to wrest the initiative from the Taliban.Daybreak brought the sporadic crackle of gunfire but no immediate heavy fighting as the offensive in Helmand province began shortly after 1am local time near the village of Nawa, about 20 miles south of the provincial capital, Lashkar... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:12 CDT en