Afghanistan has other enormous challenges as well, including a political system that is still very much developing, although there has been some progress in the past several years.

The president and I sat down in the Oval Office, and he expressed very clearly that what he wants from me is my best professional military advice.

I'm living the dream.

I am not a politician, and I will never be, and I say that with absolute conviction.

Reconciliation is what takes place, of course, at higher levels. President Karzai has been very clear about the red lines for reconciliation, accept the constitution, lay down their weapons, cut their ties with al Qaeda and essentially become productive or at least participating members of society in that regard.

Over the last few years they have done a superb job in their fight against al-Qaida. As you may recall, our embassy in Jedda (in Saudi Arabia) was overrun some four years ago and a number of foreign workers went home because of violence against them.

US forces have been increased [in Afghanistan ] from some 21,000 to about 31,000 over the past two years and a number of coalition countries have also increased their forces, there still are not sufficient troops.