The United Nations debated yesterday whether to extend its backing for the ISAF peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan; German parliamentarians are carrying on their own discussion today. Germany has some 3000 troops in the country. While politicians portray continuation of the mission as critical, many people here and in other countries are increasingly sceptical about its success. Attacks by the Taliban are increasingly frequent, opium production is at record levels, and Al Qaeda remains firmly entrenched in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan. So what is ISAF really achieving? Here's a look at how the mission got started: