The Next Step in Afghanistan

As fighting between American and al Qaeda forces escalates in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced today that nine Americans have died in combat since the weekend.

Several hundred al Qaeda forces are believed to be holed up in mountains and cave complexes in the eastern part of the country. American military officials were unsure if the fighters would flee or fight back when American bombs began to fall on the region. It is now clear that they will stay and fight.

Back in December, there were high-fives all around as it looked like the campaign in Afghanistan was a rousing success. But tonight's guest says the real war in Afghanistan is now just beginning.

Guests:

Barry Posen, Professor of Political Science at MIT

author of "The Sources of Military Doctrine and The Inadvertent Escalation"

Steve Inskeep, correspondent with NPR

Philip Smucker, the journalist who has been tracking the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden.