What is the "Surge?"

[Rank amateur]

or, the more current slang meaning

Definitely 2, but more affectionately.

Most Americans concern for casualties is that there be an exchange or payback of some sort

IMO, a perfectly reasonable cost benefit analysis.

[Ken White]

IMO, a perfectly reasonable cost benefit analysis.

Though there are those who try to skew the process for political reasons, they are rarely successful.

[Ron Humphrey]

Though there are those who try to skew the process for political reasons, they are rarely successful.

All throughout they usually think they are being successful, only to find that they were actually falling farther from their goal the whole time

[Ken White]

dat..........