No.
It's going up because we've increased OPTEMPO in Afghanistan rather than minimizing it so we could conduct operations in Iraq.
Further, if anybody has a problem with the ROE, they should vent their spleens upon Generals Petraeus and McChrystal.
Soon enough, the military too will become collateral damage in our stupid little war on everything Obama.
I think it is Obama or his minions. The rules changed in July of ‘09. FR has covered this story, but for the most part, the MSM has been silent. Also, GOOGLE is scrubbing their news cache of lots of things Obama.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/16/report-rules-of-engagement-led-to-soldiers-death/