Welcome back. It's been nearly six-and-a-half years since the beginning of the US-led military campaign to oust the Taliban in Afghanistan. Much has been achieved since then. A new government has been democratically elected. New schools have been built. And women have been given a voice in public affairs. But despite billions of euros in western aid and the presence of thousands of NATO troops, Afghanistan remains an underdeveloped and dangerous country. The Taliban are still entrenched in the South fighting frequent battles with American, Canadian and Dutch troops. And those NATO countries are now calling on their allies for more front-line support. Germany, which has 3,200 troops in the relatively peaceful North of Afghnistan, says it has no intention of sending soldiers to the South. Afghanistan is putting the NATO alliance to the test.