Photo Gallery Troubles in Afghanistan
NATO troops have been in Afghanistan for six years now, but the Taliban is stronger than ever and security remains a challenge. Here, a shepherd praying outside Kabul in October.
A number of high ranking military and civilian officials from NATO countries have begun voicing their concern with the situation in Afghanistan. Here, German Bundeswehr soldiers near Kunduz in the northern part of the country.
The Taliban seems to just keep getting stronger. Many of those fighting for the Taliban, however, are not radical Islamists. Rather, some fight for the Taliban to get back at enemy tribes.
The death toll in Afghanistan continues to mount. 2008 has been a particularly bloody year.
Drug cultivation, particularly of poppies for heroin, remains a major problem in Afghanistan and the government of President Hamid Karzai has done little to combat it.
Indeed, Karzai's brother Ahmed Wali Karzai is suspected of being heavily involved in the drug trade. He has denied the accusations.
Karzai's popularity ratings are lower than ever. He will be up for re-election next year.
