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In this article the author discusses events that took place in Afghanistan during 2008. She notes that the nation-building activities undertaken in the country were in significant danger during the year. According to the article the Afghan state was threatened by a variety of factors including the drug trade that drove the underground economy, the degree of political corruption in the Afghan bureaucracy, civilian casualties as a result of the Afghan War and the economic failures of the government. Also examined is the pressure put on authorities to negotiate with members of the Taliban.

The year 2006 in Afghanistan began with the functioning of a democratically elected parliament—a bold and positive step forward in institution-building. Development and reconstruction have continued at a slow pace. Security has sharply deteriorated, and the Taliban insurgency has become more violent in spite of the enlarged International Security Assistance Force. Opium production has increased to record levels, leading to a boom in the drug trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]