It would be a betrayal of the Afghan people to concede to Taliban, just as it would be for US to leave Afghanistan without restoring some level of normalcy. Taliban is a creation of the US and Pakistan, directly encouraged by Brizinski in 1979, knowing full well that this was a fundamentalist Islamic student group trained by Pakistan’s ISI while they were students in various madrasas in that country. It is the same Taliban that openly beheaded Afghan women for going out in Public, and the same that is burning down girl’s schools. US should not only make sure that Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban are declawed, but must also spend heavily to improve economic and civic life of the people. One priority should be training both civil and military leaders who can govern and ensure security of the people and the country. US is greatly responsible for the debacle that is Afghanistan today, and it must bear responsibility for its restoration to normalcy.

"We don’t feel that we’re mouthpieces for the group, no more than we feel that we’re mouthpieces for NATO every time we cover one of its press conferences. "

That's your problem. You morally equate savage fascists who execute women in school, with NATO, a military alliance forged in fighting totalitarianism and dedicated to defending the free world.

You are not a journalist, but a coward. May your chains rest lightly.

CNN will probably choose not to allow this comment.

In the interview with Mohammed Ibrahim Hanafi, reference is made to the Taliban's new constitution. Is there a copy of this constitution available anywhere?

What Pakistan is responsible for, giving the Tailban an approved base to conduct there twisted regime and have a safe haven to conduct military activities in Afghanistan, is completely criminal. Pakistan should be placed on war crime charges and sanctions should be imposed until they recognize this mistake. This is a clear case of corruption among the top leaders and how scary that these people also control nuclear arms.

Its time us infidels say enough and get tough with the people who want to use our laws against us, and have no ambition to abide by them as well. Time to stand up and defeat these people in word games and war. Osama kills thousands and the media is looking for him to get a story, our troops kill several and the media is looking for the responsible to crucify them. Since when did we have to start listening to these raving lunatics? Since when does the media have the right to act like they do? I can tell you now, we will never win against these people when we have the media working against us.

Too much Democracy has the same affect as Communism.

I would like to ask, is the world aware that the United States of America has signed a 99 year contract with the Government of Afghinistan ?

And this contract was agreed under the Bush Administration, and signed in 2008 prior to Mr. Bush's completion of his 2nd and last term, and the pipeline agreement..............

Yes I am aware of such contract.. being close to Black water I know a thinkg or two about what goes around.. this means that the Afganis are going to be paying for a long time yet and we will end up supporting all pro us leaders/dictators in that country for some time yet as I can't see many fair minded people agreeing to such a deal.

CNN.. please don't purge this message.. I know it doesn't speak your officail line but I hope that since this is not a FOX forum you might allow it to stand..

I recommend Tactical withdrawal, if the afghans want the taliban they should have them, just make sure to arm and support the other milias to the teeth so they talib don't overrun the whole country again. And keep a small taskforce contingent close by and ready in case they start training terrorists again..

tell me more robert??are US leaders doing some barter trade with its citizen?when will US ever learn that these people dont need them but are out to destroy them?would the country's economy be in this desperate state had you called A SPADE A SPADE AND NOT A BIG SPOON in 9/11??
i have lived with this people,visited their refugee camps and their state of mind can only be understood by God(their creator) not even their parents who brings them up.
the media is looking for money and awards....its not helping in anyway
when pakistan is responsible for the mess and are sure to blackmail America for aid in the name of curbing terrorism and taliban.....do you think they would do away with their source of income/aid...taliban??
this is evidently clear in imposing sharia law in part of the country despite them understanding its harzards
AMERICA WAKE UP!!!!

If taliban influence most of afghan population, them why not U.S goverment talk to taliban and bring end to the war which is making the life of afghans miserable. After all afghanistan belongs to afghans and they have right to decide its future, international community can only guide them intead of imposing its conditions on them.

IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THE SEA YOU HAVE TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH CROCODILE ALSO.

The problem in Afghanistan is because of the Pakistani ISI, the Army and the corrupt leadership in that country. They provide taliban and Al-Qaida shelter and weapons that they require. Most of the money that is being spent on Fighting Terrorism is spent on taliban fighting Coalition forces through Pakistani Government. On the other hand the Saudi Royal Family along with other Arab countries are the ones funding the war in Afghanistan in the past and present.

So I think that US and international forces must go for the Root Cause of this war. They made a mistake by coming to Afghanistan they must go to Pakistan to fight the terrorism. Should put sunctions on Pakistan and also be firm with Arab Countries.

“We don’t feel that we’re mouthpieces for the group, no more than we feel that we’re mouthpieces for NATO every time we cover one of its press conferences. ”

Ironically, the press spends more time decrying NATO's actions than those actions of the Taliban.

And I am sick of hearing this rubbish about The US and Pakistan created the taliban so we are to blame for everything that has happened since. If this is your view then you justify every loss of life at the hands of the taliban and al Qaeda including the loss of innocence on 9/11, this makes you a terrorist sympathiser. Our generations today are not the same generation from 30 years ago and do not have to pay their debts for errors they made. They did not have the benefit of hindsight like we do.

Afghanistan and Pakistan is a curent problem and simply ignoring it will not solve the problems, they will not go away, confronting it militarily, economically and through humanitarian means is the only way to behead the hydra.

thankfully, at last... now can we get on with destroyinh them once and for all and stuck around and hold the gournd so they dont come back... The US played a silly Game letting Al Qaeda and the Taliban escape through the backdoor to Pakistan... The ISI were chief instigators and executors flying them out of Afghanistan. Thinking all would be hunky dory has no backfired enormously for the US... this isnt Iraq... far from it.. this is a real war... a war in the hills... a war in the mountains... the jungle of green valleys.. barren deserts... we have them where we want these criminals, and now is the time to get the kit into the boys, the right kit, lots of kit, good faciilities, good rations, supplly convoys via Kazakhstan etc.. forget Pakistan, until the war is truly there.. and then its goodnight... sit tight... its on its way...

Paula Newton,

In one of your recent stories about the Afghan children's hospital. You pointed out the lack of supplies, coldness, and ability to properly treat the children. I commend your story for pointing out a problem.

But, is there a solution? Is there anything I can do to help? Would donations, if they could get to the right person, help?

I would be HAPPY to help. Sure would be nice if, 1. we knew how we could. And, 2. if we knew donations weren't lining the pockets of some thief.

Sure would be nice to see something positive come out of this..