This year has been the bloodiest since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001 that toppled the Taliban, whose supporters have revived their campaign to drive out foreign forces.
The latest fatalities brought the number of U.S. military deaths to almost 150 this year, compared with 111 in 2001, The A.P. reported. Additionally, about 110 soldiers from other coalition forces have died this year.
More than 5,400 people, including almost 1,000 civilians, have died in violence related to the insurgency this year, the news agency said, citing figures from Afghan and international officials.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/13/news/afghan.phpAfghanistan's violence is escalating, and two new brigades will not be enough to clamp down on the Taliban's latest strengthening. They have been rebuilding for 7 years and now control the entire Pakistan/Afghanistan border. They are now moving West and East into both countries. Karzai's area of control is shrinking. If we are not careful, Afghanistan will be the next Vietnam.