The Hindu Kush in December
Government spokespeople and media sometimes fall into the unfortunate habit of repeating an odd expression over and over again. For example, during the Watergate hearings, the expression "at that point in time" was said so often [rather than the simpler and more accurate "at that time"] that it still haunts our language.
Similarly, about thirteen years ago, "brutal Afghan winter" became both the rationale and the expression of choice by those who questioned any U.S. involvement in attacking the Taliban in their home country. In reality, winter in Afghanistan is no more brutal than winter in Connecticut, but the expression gave the unaware the impression that the Hindu Kush was an extension of the North Pole.
The latest example is "boots on the ground", which is a laborious way of saying "ground troops". So common is its use by politicians and the media, that a simple Google search reveals over 87,000 examples just in the last few weeks. Since the expression is nonsensical, but carries a Protean definition, it gives the unaware the impression that there will be no ground troops reinstated anywhere in the more troubled parts of the world.
Then we read this, hidden away in an obscure, but highly accurate, publication:
The 1st Infantry Division headquarters will deploy to Iraq in the coming weeks as the U.S. expands its war against the Islamic State, officials announced Thursday.