BLEAK PICTURE OF KANDAHAR CAMPAIGN

"... the military's purported gains in the southern war zone do not align with the bleak picture painted by most sources on the ground... reports from journalists embedded with troops in the field are at variance with the official assertions. Most describe a stalemate at best, or even describe the Taliban as having the initiative. Aid organizations, meanwhile, note that civilian casualties in Kandahar are at an all-time high. Thousands have fled their homes en masse. Development projects are at a near standstill..."
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2030184,00.html