2005.

"However, as seven years of missed opportunity have rolled by, the Taliban has rooted itself across increasing swathes of Afghan territory. According to research undertaken by ICOS throughout 2008, the Taliban now has a permanent presence in 72% of the country.

"Of the four doors leading out of Kabul, three are now compromised by Taliban activity. The roads to the west, towards the Afghan National Ring Road through Wardak to Kandahar become unsafe for Afghan or international travel by the time travellers reach the entrance to Wardak province, which is about thirty minutes from the city limits.

"By blocking the doors to the city in this way, the Taliban insurgents are closing a noose around the city and establishing bases close to the city from which to launch attacks insideit. Using these bases, the Taliban and insurgent attacks in Kabul have increased dramatically – including kidnapping of Afghans and foreigners, various bomb attacks and assassinations."

Compare the two ICOS maps below which show the advances of the Afghan Resistance in the last 12 months.

ICOS November 2007 map showing Afghan Resistance in direct control of 54% of the country and 38% showing "Area with substantial Taliban presence", reflecting a total of 92% outside U.S./NATO control. One year ago, U.S./NATO controlled only 8% after 7 years of war against Afghanistan. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 in what they called "Operation Enduring Freedom". According to a UK Guardian report, Ten of thousands of Afghans died in the first 4 months of the invasion and many more since then.