Today, remnants of the Taliban have mutated into a different force - far deadlier, better organized and well-armed. With close bonds with al-Qaeda, the insurgents have imported new skills previously unseen in three decades of war in Afghanistan.

Inquirer staff writer Andrew Maykuth and photographer John Costello visited many corners of the country to get a better look at its people and the military presence there.

Part One: A Victory Yet to Come
Afghans face the hard reality of a long fight against insurgents.
It seemed so easy five years ago: Anti-Taliban forces rolled into Afghanistan's capital after a monthlong American bombing campaign, and the repressive Islamist regime scattered like leaves in autumn.

• Slideshow: Looking for change in Afghanistan
• Slideshow: Bar Shultan, on the Kunar River
• Article: Taliban rampage in Ghazni
• Audio Interview: Afghan Ambassador Said T. Jawad
• Audio Interview: U.N. diplomat Tom Koenigs
• Audio Interview: Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta
• Audio Interview: Afghanistan expert Barnett R. Rubin
• Audio Interview: U.S. Coalition Commander Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry

Part Two: Blurring of enemy lines
Identifying the enemy can be difficult; mistakes can be costly, in lives, allegiances.
When the gunfire started about 2 a.m. outside the mud-walled compound, Malik Namatullah woke abruptly: The commandos had already scaled the wall and peered over the top. Their rifles were trained on Namatullah.

Part Three: Restraint even facing death
When hit by the enemy, troops are taught to send this strong message: Ordinary Afghans can trust them.
The soldiers of C Company huddled around the radio as the bad news spread: Insurgents had ambushed a platoon about 10 miles upriver, killing the turret gunner of an armored humvee.

• Article: Surviving a bombing
• Video: Insurgents bomb Army humvee
• Audio Interview: Pvt. Adam Boguskie
• Audio Interview: Staff Sqt. Jerry Neal
• Audio Interview: Lt. Darren Riley
• Audio Interview: Lt. Christopher Haynes
• Audio Interview: Lt. Timothy Lo
• Audio Interview: Staff Sgt. Clay Groves
• Audio Interview: Sgt. Erik Simpson
• Audio Interview: Pfc. Chase Williams
• Audio Interview: Lt. Sean McQuaid
• Audio Interview: Staff Sgt. Reinaldo Alvarez
• Audio Interview: Pfc. Masao Vrlec
• Audio Interview: Spec. Brant Myers
• Audio Interview: Lt. Michael Harrison
• Audio Interview: Capt. Robert Stanton

 Part Four: Slow fight to build an army
U.S. troops try to knit disparate militias into a national Afghan force.
KANDEGAL, Afghanistan - The firefight last month was mostly bluster, but for the Afghan National Army soldiers assigned to an observation post here, the threat was apparently real enough.

Part Five: For Afghan women, the veil prevails
Some take up high office, but most face a long battle for recognition and equality.
In a country where most women still don't show their faces in public, the government offer seemed revolutionary: Free market stalls for women to encourage them to start their own businesses.