Afghanistan: Tora Bora: December 18, 2001: An Eastern Alliance Mujahedin fighter walks through a bombed out wooded area on top of a peak in the Tora Bora mountains in eastern Afghanistan which was captured from Al Qaeda forces destroyed during a two week long siege and bombing from American war planes . Photo:Joao Silva

NEWSERVICE OK***WEB OK**** Afghanistan: Kajaki: July 23, 2007: NATO British soldier with the Royal Anglians B Company calls for water to cool his weapon down as his comrades fire towards Taliban positions after elements of B Company came under fire during a regular patrol on the outskirts of Kajaki in Afghanistan. kajaki is in northern helmand province. The Brits took no casulaties. Not sure about the other side. credit: Joao Silva for The New York Time Published 07-24-2007: A British soldier with NATO forces in Afghanistan called for water yesterday to cool down his weapon. His company was shooting at Taliban positions after having been fired upon while patrolling Helmand Province. Photo by Joao Silva for The New York Times

Pictures to illustrate story by John Kifner: Afghanistan: Tora Bora: December 14, 2001: Eastern Alliance Mujahedin fighters run for cover from Al Qaeda sniper fire in the Tora Bora mountains in eastern Afghanistan. Anti- Taliban forces continue to fight for control Tora Bora.Photo:Joao Silva

Combattants de l’Alliance de l’Est en route vers la ligne de front dans les montagnes de Tora Bora en Afghanistan où les forces d’Al-Qaida furent vaincues après un siège de deux semaines. 16 décembre 2001. Eastern Alliance fighters making their way to the front line in the Tora Bora mountains of Afghanistan where fighters from Al Qaeda were defeated after a two-week siege. December 16, 2001. © Joao Silva / The New York Times

Afghanistan: Kabul: 29 May 2007: Afghan workers stoke the fire of a furnace at a brick factory on the outskirts of Kabul where the bricks are baked . Photo: Joao Silva

Afghanistan: Farah: May 13, 2009: Bibi Ghul who lost a husband and two children during an airstrike in Granai, Farah province, Afghanistan, received compensation from Afghan government officials at the Governor's office in the town of Farah. Bibi Ghul received the equivalent of $6000.00 for the death of three relatives. Photo: Joao Silva for the nyt Published 05-15-2009: Bibi Ghul, who lost her husband and two of her children during the strikes on Granai, was compensated by officials in Farah. (Photographs by Joao Silva for The New York Times)

Photographs by Joao Silva for The New York Times