And particularly labor market numbers, unemployment, and unemployment lags recovery - so even when an aggregate recovery starts, those numbers are not going to turn around immediately.

VOA: standard.2009.03.10

U.S.officials acknowledge that, even if the situation in Afghanistan begins to turn during the next 12 months, the U.S.withdrawal will likely be very gradual, and some number of international troops will be needed in Afghanistan for many years to come.

VOA: standard.2010.07.22