August 28, 2007—Armed Afghan policemen sit with confiscated poppy bulbs during the destruction of a farmer's field in the village of Karezaq, near Kandahar in southern Afghanistan on April 11, 2004 (Photo from National Geographic)Paid and Played -- Strategy Page
October 20, 2008: The Taliban appear to have 20-30 percent more gunmen in operation this year, largely because of greater earning from the drug business. They have adopted new tactics that emphasize operating in smaller groups, and trying to avoid the foreign aircraft and UAVs that appear to be everywhere. This year, the Taliban are leaving attacks on foreign troops up to terrorists (al Qaeda and Taliban). However, only about four percent of the victims of these attacks are foreign troops. Some 80 percent are Afghan civilians, and the rest Afghan police and soldiers. So far this year, 5,100 people have died in Taliban related violence. Most of the dead were Taliban or al Qaeda, killed by foreign and Afghan forces.
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My Comment: The Taliban Army has evolved into a drug army .... pure and simple.