Scenes From Afghanistan (43 Photos)

U.S. soldiers plan their next movement during Operation Viper Shake in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, April 21, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

Recent Scenes From Afghanistan -- The Big Picture

Since he took office in January, President Barack Obama has ordered an additional 21,000 U.S. troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, which will bring the full U.S. deployment there to a total of 60,000 troops, joining 39,000 coalition troops from 43 countries. The U.S. administration plans to impose benchmarks for progress on both Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, who struggle with problems tied to tribal rivalries, illegal drug production and distribution, religious factions, general instability and poverty. Collected here are photographs from the past few months of the situation in Afghanistan and the lives that continue to be affected by it. (43 photos total)

WNU Editor: These photos were taken in 2009, but looking at them .... they could have been taken yesterday. For the entire photo album, go here.