CBS News focuses on Afghanistan

[0:00] ..." It was eight years ago that the United States began its incursion. In Afghanistan's first -- their power and then with ground troops and now after all these years and under"...

[1:24] ..." You'll also receive some rather starter cooperation from the Defense Department David Martin for example spending considerable amount of time. With the general McChrystal a lot of that was on sixty minutes -- has some"...

[2:14] ..." the most extreme element in the agent at dean became the Taliban and so it. Certainly something that that we need to think about as we try to figure out who our allies are"...

[4:01] ..." poppy and that is what fuels provide the financial -- for the Taliban and al- -Qaeda. And so bad is that Gary is problem but yet there are a lot of discussion right now about comic -- Most"...

[5:27] ..." glad people part of our correspondent. I think they've done extraordinary work. David Martin as you mentioned not only was general McChrystal that just stated and on really riveting piece on what cap and in a village called when I -- these remote out the general McChrystal. Wants to move on these remote areas where the Taliban is much more familiar with the terrain and at. That's such an upper hand when it comes to -- and military. Conflicts. And and go -- to the villages and -- that they didn't gritty piece and then. And amp dashed last week and eight soldiers were locked in another remote outpost really very similar. Situation just a few days before that -- what could be at Camden. And Lara Logan I think is done wonderful pieces on the Taliban. People don't really understand the difference between the Taliban and then the outcry and al- -Qaeda and in fact. They're almost one and the same they're both sort of under the umbrella of quote unquote freedom fighters -- insurgents. We're trying to figure out a way to recap and Terry McCarthy stunts and great nieces about. Whole notion of counterinsurgency. -- that the Afghan people. And and provide means. -- for that in terms of security and economic opportunity so they won't all get them is that Taliban and you can win hearts and minds. The Afghan people which is so incredibly critical. And a cop like like that debt"...

[7:17] ..." CBS's Katie Couric and the CBS evening news with Katie Couric as always -- 630 on channel four WBZ TV. This evening with its concluding. Broadcast exclusively devoted to the situation. In Afghanistan"...

[0:00]" It was eight years ago that the United States began its incursion. In Afghanistan's first -- their power and then with ground troops and now after all these years and under a new administration what is the future. The president meeting today with his national security team. And CBS news has devoted to each of its previous 2 evening news with Katie current broadcast exclusively to the situation in Afghanistan and continues this evening at 630. On channel four Katie -- choices. From a CBS news in New York -- first of all four medically. Katie this it's unusual to give up the entire half hour to one subject."

[1:24]" You'll also receive some rather starter cooperation from the Defense Department David Martin for example spending considerable amount of time. With the general McChrystal a lot of that was on sixty minutes -- has some exclusive material as a and you also. Went over -- to -- the background how is you put it last I believe. It's. A country which previous empires have tried to capture. And haven't the brits the Russians and other US."

[1:51]" And that's why they call it the graveyard of empires I think we wanted to remind people what a monumental -- this is an arm that. -- not only religious fanaticism. Culturally geographically. Militarily strategically. It is say they an enormous challenge there have been failures before court. The US armed them into hiding when the Soviets invaded -- the most extreme element in the agent at dean became the Taliban and so it. Certainly something that that we need to think about as we try to figure out who our allies are I asked secretary gates about that that I that is -- cents. Here be careful what you cozy up to that might get the last and -- history is by chronic. I -- got -- at many other people I talk to secretary state court yesterday. Are very aware history as they move forward you know we pretty much left the scene after the Soviets -- and that's why. All this religious fanaticism was able. 220. Really Peru in that country and both Pakistan and Afghanistan. I think they're quite cynical about the US commitments so it's really important as the administration weighed the options. That they don't get the impression that. This country kind of going all wobbly on its commitment it's it's again a very delicate balance he also don't wanna be considered occupiers. At the -- time that they said we need to he thinks NAFTA and amp. And immediately so Peter on the kinds of things that I think are being discussed and and and debated. With -- Obama administration and right now."

[3:44]" Other allegations. Of all kinds of corruption including his brother's involvement was with the drug trade in Afghanistan which by the way. You know it is Afghanistan's southern Afghanistan produces 90%. Of the world's heroin and opium. Supplied through its poppy and that is what fuels provide the financial -- for the Taliban and al- -Qaeda. And so bad is that Gary is problem but yet there are a lot of discussion right now about comic -- Most people accept the fact that the election was rigged. How much it's unclear attackers are we and it UN investigation going on most people think that he will remain in power the currency -- That exceed that statistical -- percentage necessary. That there won't possibly be brought out. And I think that at this point date many US officials feel that it's better -- deal with a double thing now. And possibly another doctor Abdullah Abdullah. I think it's unclear if government. Would be any better I asked secretary of state Clinton about it she said some that they existed and -- To use some of these countries there is a great deal of corruption but clearly. I think they're going to be much bigger expectations. Ask for President Karzai and they're going to want him to be paid a certain way it. He wants the US commitment to remain and I think -- gonna be much much -- Kirk. On the cart like president but he and administration."

[5:23]" That's right at this agent. Q I learned I am glad people part of our correspondent. I think they've done extraordinary work. David Martin as you mentioned not only was general McChrystal that just stated and on really riveting piece on what cap and in a village called when I -- these remote out the general McChrystal. Wants to move on these remote areas where the Taliban is much more familiar with the terrain and at. That's such an upper hand when it comes to -- and military. Conflicts. And and go -- to the villages and -- that they didn't gritty piece and then. And amp dashed last week and eight soldiers were locked in another remote outpost really very similar. Situation just a few days before that -- what could be at Camden. And Lara Logan I think is done wonderful pieces on the Taliban. People don't really understand the difference between the Taliban and then the outcry and al- -Qaeda and in fact. They're almost one and the same they're both sort of under the umbrella of quote unquote freedom fighters -- insurgents. We're trying to figure out a way to recap and Terry McCarthy stunts and great nieces about. Whole notion of counterinsurgency. -- that the Afghan people. And and provide means. -- for that in terms of security and economic opportunity so they won't all get them is that Taliban and you can win hearts and minds. The Afghan people which is so incredibly critical. And a cop like like that debt these talks how effective that was and I think we really covered Afghanistan -- I just hope that people are much better understanding not only of the conflict but of the challenges. That life -- so again when the administration does make its decision the American people and decide for themselves in its -- out."

[7:17]" CBS's Katie Couric and the CBS evening news with Katie Couric as always -- 630 on channel four WBZ TV. This evening with its concluding. Broadcast exclusively devoted to the situation. In Afghanistan as the president tries to ponder the future and consider whether more troops should be deployed. Katie thanks thriller -- A bite."