I'm sure those are conversations that are going to be had, because like we've seen in other countries, unless there's a protection and security force there, it really is not matter what we do if, when the area is vacated by American troops, the same people that caused trouble that led us to come there come back because there's no resistance to them doing so.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

What, then, prevents Afghanistan from living happily ever after, with a generous dose of aid and a degree of international protection in the form of the International Security Assistance Force, which at present comprises about 4, 500 soldiers from 18 countries?

ECONOMIST: At last, signs of hope