基地组织与塔利班 谁更危险?

A question almost as complex as the country itself--is Al-Qaeda or the Taliban the greater threat in Afghanistan?

Afghan officials and parliamentarians have little doubt.

"I think Taliban because of the networks they have at the community level, because of their connections they have with the people of Afghanistan. It might be very difficult or it might be a very lengthy process to defeat them as compared to Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan."

The day before Osama Bin Laden was killed, the Taliban declared the beginning of their spring offensive. They also repeated that their insurgency would continue until foreign forces pulled out of Afghanistan.

"To give you an example of just how much of a threat the Taliban here is, we're in Kabul. Just beyond that checkpoint is Weldark Province. To venture into there would be to go into Taliban-controlled territory. My safety could not be guaranteed. President Hamid Karzai ceded the power. It's just about a 45-minute drive in that direction."

By contrast, Afghan and US officials say Al-Qaeda is a much weakened force after years of drone attacks and other measures to squeeze it. Last year, CIA Director Leon Panetta said the terror group was down to its last few dozen fighters in the Afghan-Pakistan border region.

On the streets of Kabul, there's less consensus.

"The Taliban now is the biggest threat for Afghanistan now."

"I think Al-Qaeda is the main supporter of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and Al-Qaeda is trying to encourage the Taliban to destroy Afghanistan. If not, then the Taliban would not be able to do all these operations on their own."

"Taliban, they're inside of Afghanistan and outside of Afghanistan, but all the borderers are completely open like when you are cooking your pots. Everybody, for example, one person is coming, putting salt up there, one person is coming and putting everything to mix this, I mean, dish which they are making."

While the Taliban have been weakened in critical areas in the south of Afghanistan, the fighting in the east rages on. And they've extended their influence in northern provinces. US commanders acknowledge that gains made so far have been fragile and are reversible. And some politicians, both here and in the US, say the imminent drawdown of American and allied forces plays into the hands of a patient and resilient Taliban.

Former Afghan Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah says the US must stay the course for its own security.

"First and foremost, look at it from your interest point of view. This will hurt your interest. This will create further threats for your interest. As an Afghan, of course we need their support."

The unspoken fear that the return of the Taliban will mean a new lease on life for Al-Qaeda.