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On a cloudless, still morning, dawn breaks on a small village in the Oruzgan province of Afghanistan. As the sun rises, it casts shadows along the crumbling dirt walls of the dozen or so dwellings that make up the village. Despite the stillness of the coming day, an ominous dust storm appears to grow from the valley floor to the south of the village. The inhabitants of the village stare in confusion at the mysterious storm forming in the valley. The Taliban mixed among the residents look not in confusion but in horror, as they recognize not only the cause of the storm but the power behind it.
Above the din of the dusty tempest, aircraft fly, and within its whirlwind, a virtual armada of coalition and Afghan National Security Force vehicles and men bear down on the village. The noise of some 300-plus soldiers, amplified by the benefits of modern technology, are the harbingers of destruction to the vastly outnumbered and relatively surprised Taliban who have taken over the village. They immediately launch into a well-practiced drill of escape, evasion and concealment among the villagers. Within hours, the Taliban has been routed from the village, either through successful escape or through unsuccessful confrontation with the massive coalition force, and relative order and security have been re-established for the villagers who have suffered under the tyranny of their "guests" for the last few weeks.
In the days that follow the engagement, the ability of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to maintain order and provide a safe way of life is demonstrated to the populace. Vehicle checkpoints are established on the few roads leading into the village. A shura meeting is held to discuss civic improvements and to assuage the fears of the village elders of possible Taliban reprisal if they cooperate with the government forces. Promises are made for better wells, more food, improved roads and relief from tribal conflict.
Within 72 hours of the initial assault that drove the Taliban from the village, the coalition forces, unable to maintain a presence because of a similar situation that requires their attention elsewhere, depart the small village. Despite every intention to the contrary, they leave the village much the same way they found it three days...