Fighting the Taliban

U.S. Army soldiers look for Taliban insurgents in a village in eastern Afghanistan. With large swaths of the country under Taliban control, Afghans are growing more pessimistic about their future and weary of battle. On both sides of the conflict, the possibility of peace negotiations has gained prominence as possibly the only way out of the war.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

U.S. soldiers pass through a village in Korengal Valley. Recruitment for insurgent groups has grown easier here as attention shifts away from the conflict in Iraq, says Waheed Muzhta, a researcher and former senior Taliban official. But Western military officials dismiss such talk, saying insurgents see that it is virtually impossible for them to prevail militarily against more than 65,000 coalition troops.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

U.S. Army Spc. Kevin Yeatman, 21, breathes heavily after climbing a mountaintop overlooking a Taliban position.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

Soldiers scan a Taliban position. Although NATO’s military superiority over the Taliban is unquestioned, some observers say the insurgents will seek to strengthen their hand in negotiations by scoring whatever high-profile victories they can now.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

U.S. Army Pvt. Jerry Chavez fires his weapon during a firefight with insurgents on Tuesday.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

U.S. Army mortars explode during Tuesday’s firefight.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

Sgt. James Horris, right, and Kevin Yeatman break from the fighting.  (John Moore / Getty Images)

A U.S. Army soldier surveys the scene on an eastern Afghanistan hillside after the fighting is done.  (John Moore / Getty Images)