"Our customers were looking for something different and they didn't want that kind of locker room--type environment where you change in a common area, wait in a common area and so forth, " recalls Gordon Tareta, director of spa operations for Hyatt.

FORBES: Spa-lunking

The hand of the government in Kabul has no doubt been strengthened by negotiations over the SPA. Until now, America has led night raids by special-operations forces which have captured or killed many lower-level Taliban fighters, as well as run Bagram prison for captured insurgents both issues of concern to insurgent commanders.

ECONOMIST: Afghanistan and the United States