the rix mix

From Online Etymology Dictionary:

surge (n.) 1490, "fountain, stream," probably from M.Fr. sourge-, stem of sourdre "to rise, swell," from L. surgere "to rise," contraction of surrigere "to rise," from sub "up from below" + regere "to keep straight, guide" (see right). Meaning "high, rolling swell of water" is from 1530; figurative sense of "excited rising up" (as of feelings) is from 1520. The verb is first recorded 1511.

From the Free Dictionary:

surge (sûrj)
v. surged, surg·ing, surg·es
v.intr.
1. To rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner.
2. To roll or be tossed about on waves, as a boat.
3. To move like advancing waves: The fans surged forward to see the movie star.
4. To increase suddenly: As favorable reviews came out, interest in the software surged.
5. To improve one's performance suddenly, especially in bettering one's standing in a competition.
6. Nautical To slip around a windlass. Used of a rope.

Just doing what the asshole civilian writers in the White House & Defense Dept. did when they were ordered to find some bloodless, non-military "power" word that would function as both a noun & a verb to replace tired words such as "escalation" "build-up," "reinforcements." A word implying forceful motion without attributes of violence; neutral yet active.

You won't find surge in the current Dept. of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. But you will find escalation: "A deliberate or unpremeditated increase in scope or violence of a conflict."