The Obama administration is working out a strategy to stabilize Afghanistan, where the level of violence has risen due to a resurgence of the Taliban. A high level of cooperation in the international community will be key to the successful reconstruction of the nation.

The Taliban is growing stronger in eastern and southern parts of Afghanistan. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, 2,118 civilians were killed in military conflicts in 2008 — about 40 percent more than in 2007 and the most since the Taliban government was driven from power in 2001. Up to 828 deaths are attributed to "collateral damage."

About 35,000 U.S. troops and 55,000 International Security Assistance Force troops under the command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are now in Afghanistan. The U.S. will send 17,000 more troops, and plans to eventually increase its force strength to about 60,000 troops.