ISLAMABAD -- The U.S.-backed regime of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, which has been promised more than $8 billion in international economic aid over the next three years, is still struggling to consolidate its political position.
The United States has backed Karzai as a credible alternative to Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers, who brought Washington's wrath upon themselves for their backing of al-Qaeda. Karzai's position, however, remains tenuous at best, as his government has little control over events outside of Kabul.
Recent unrest in all corners of Afghanistan, either provoked by defiant warlords or by al-Qaeda and the Taliban, have reinforced the impression that Afghanistan remains in turmoil.