Well, it's been somewhat noisy because the terrorists see it as a challenge. We're hearing explosions and firefights out there, but not at levels we've heard in past violence spikes. But, yes, there is a big change.
There are checkpoints and troops all over town now. Our Iraqi employees are telling us about traffic snarls due to that, but they aren't complaining because they know that this should lead to more peaceful surroundings.
As a result of this, more terrorists are being rounded up. Iraqi citizens are ratting them out at a higher rate now that they feel safer with the escalated troop presence.
So it's turbulent now, but this should lead to calm sometime in the near future. The Iraqi PM says the clampdown on Baghdad will "last as long as it neeeds to."
I am really interested in the progression of this as well as what is going on in Ramadi.
Keep us posted and stay safe.