Steppin' Out

C.I.A. Review Highlights Afghan Leader’s Woes:

Over the past year, the Bush administration reduced financing for Afghanistan by 30 percent and proposed the withdrawal of up to 3,000 American troops. At least 143 American and NATO troops have been killed in the Taliban resurgence this year, 55 more than died in all of 2005, and the planned withdrawal was canceled.

And get this:

In a rare venture outside his heavily fortified palace, Afghan President Hamid Karzai grabbed a loaf of bread from a Kabul restaurant on Thursday and shared it and shook hands with shopkeepers on the streets of the capital. This was only the third time he has walked outside the palace since taking power.