“U.S.-backed Afghan forces” and “U.S. forces” are two very different animals, Lindy.

We currently have thousands of troops in the area, where the U.S.-backed Afghan forces have tens of thousands. What they choose to do with their enemy, who also happen to be their countrymen, is really their business. We had the same problems over a hundred years ago at the end of the Civil War, which we’re still getting flack from, though North vs. south rivalry has become a lot friendlier since the 50s.

Ever since Sept. 11, we’ve had 1 goal in sight. The eradication of global terrorism. At the moment, our concerns revolve around al-Qui’da network, Osama bin Laden, Mullah Mohammad Omar, and any national government (like Iraq) that supports global terrorism -- and in that order, I believe.

The Taliban used to be the nation’s government. We went in and changed that.

The Taliban used to support al-Qui’da network. We changed that as well, as did the leader of the Taliban when he skied out with a good chunk of the government’s funds (in U.S. currency, btw, so I guess the “Wicked Witches of the West” are useful to the goat for some things).

And the search continues.

Dan