Kunduz is key:

Kunduz: Taleban still in control

Northern Alliance forces have encirlced the Taleban's last enclave in northern Afghanistan. Taleban troops are thought to have fled to Kunduz from Mazar-e-Sharif and another key economic centre, Taloqan, which fell on Sunday 11 November. Between 2,000 and 3,000 of the most fanatical Taleban fighters - thought to be mainly Arabs and Pakistanis - are trapped. The foreign soldiers loyal to Osama Bin Laden are reportedly refusing to allow other Taleban fighters to surrender. The alliance has given the beseiged Taleban fighters a deadline to give up or face an all-out assault. Capture of Kunduz would allow fresh supplies to be moved in from Tajikistan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2001/war_on_terror/key_maps/inside_kund.stm

Another key city:

Jalalabad: Abandoned by Taleban forces on the morning of Wednesday 14 November

Tribal elders agreed to return the pre-Taleban governor Haji Qadeer to power, after an internal power struggle following the defeat of the Taleban by local warlords. Jalalabad is the capital of the Nangahar province that controls the main road between Kabul and Khyber Pass that starts at the border with Pakistan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2001/war_on_terror/key_maps/inside_jal.stm

Trouble with the surroundings of both of those cities including Kabul is the latest runnings with Taliban or Taliban imposters and criminals and even some Al Qaida members that are in the area. It will make it very difficult for humanitarian aid convoys and workers (as they also try to make their way to Kabul).

The city of Kandahar is another in the three. All are very close to the 'fluid' Pakistani border.

Marcia