The Wall Street Journal reports that an increase in U.S. military action in Afghanistan over the past year has been accompanied by a higher number of casualties.<br /> In its report on Monday, the paper said that 141 American service members were killed or wounded in the 12-month period through November last year, marking a 35 percent on year surge.<br />Fourteen were reported to be killed in action, up from seven deaths the previous year, while 127 were wounded. <br /> Most of the casualties have occurred in the last six months, leading to President Trump ruling out any possible peace talks with the Taliban, which is a contradiction of his own strategy to end America's longest foreign war. <br />
