This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7268467.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Taleban 'run 10% of Afghanistan' Taleban 'run 10% of Afghanistan'
(about 1 hour later)
Six years after being ousted in the US-led invasion, the Taleban have retaken about 10% of Afghanistan, US intelligence chief Mike McConnell says.Six years after being ousted in the US-led invasion, the Taleban have retaken about 10% of Afghanistan, US intelligence chief Mike McConnell says.
The government controlled just 30% of the country, and the rest was under tribal control, the director of the National Intelligence told senators. The government controlled just 30% of the country, and the rest was under tribal control, the director of national intelligence told senators.
The Committee on Armed Services heard the Taleban's resurgence was due partly to increased support from al-Qaeda.The Committee on Armed Services heard the Taleban's resurgence was due partly to increased support from al-Qaeda.
The last 12 months have seen the worst violence in Afghanistan since 2001.The last 12 months have seen the worst violence in Afghanistan since 2001.
The head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency told the same committee major problems remained in trying to crack down on the lawless tribal area on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan.The head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency told the same committee major problems remained in trying to crack down on the lawless tribal area on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan.
'Vital sanctuary''Vital sanctuary'
Lt Gen Michael Maples said the Pakistani military was not trained for that fight.Lt Gen Michael Maples said the Pakistani military was not trained for that fight.
He added that it would take three to five years to address those deficiencies and to make a difference.He added that it would take three to five years to address those deficiencies and to make a difference.
"Pakistani military operations in the [region] have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda's position," Gen Maples said."Pakistani military operations in the [region] have not fundamentally damaged al-Qaeda's position," Gen Maples said.
"The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the Taleban and regional extremism more broadly.""The tribal areas remain largely ungovernable and, as such, they will continue to provide vital sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the Taleban and regional extremism more broadly."
In Washington, independent foreign policy experts have previously warned Afghanistan largely remains a failing state.In Washington, independent foreign policy experts have previously warned Afghanistan largely remains a failing state.
The latest assessment from US military chiefs underlines the cause for concern facing Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington.The latest assessment from US military chiefs underlines the cause for concern facing Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington.