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In Kandahar, Afghanistan, Americans face challenges while awaiting reinforcements

With a larger offensive postponed, U.S. troops instead have been battling a corruption-ridden police force and the local government's apparent misgivings about taking on the Taliban.

Sgt. Son Nguyen, 25, from Rochester, N.Y., patrols. The United States and other Western allies still plan to inject hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of new troops into Kandahar and surrounding villages this year in a bid to gain control of Taliban strongholds.

Sgt. Son Nguyen, 25, from Rochester, N.Y., patrols. The United States and other Western allies still plan to inject hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of new troops into Kandahar and surrounding villages this year in a bid to gain control of Taliban strongholds.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

Sgt. Son Nguyen and a U.S. interpreter during a recent patrol in Kandahar. When 30,000 new U.S. troops are in place later this year, the United States will have nearly 105,000 troops in Afghanistan, the most robust footprint since the 2002 invasion.

Sgt. Son Nguyen and a U.S. interpreter during a recent patrol in Kandahar. When 30,000 new U.S. troops are in place later this year, the United States will have nearly 105,000 troops in Afghanistan, the most robust footprint since the 2002 invasion.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

Sgt. Son Nguyen searches a man who refused to stop at a police checkpoint in Kandahar.

Sgt. Son Nguyen searches a man who refused to stop at a police checkpoint in Kandahar.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

A soldier performs a retinal scan on a man who refused to stop at a police checkpoint in Kandahar. Afghanistan's second-largest city is the latest focus of U.S. military officials struggling to turn the tide on a worsening conflict.

A soldier performs a retinal scan on a man who refused to stop at a police checkpoint in Kandahar. Afghanistan's second-largest city is the latest focus of U.S. military officials struggling to turn the tide on a worsening conflict.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

First Lt. James Rathmann and Staff Sgt. James Jackson speak to Abdul Nasir, a deputy police chief, before heading out on patrol.

First Lt. James Rathmann and Staff Sgt. James Jackson speak to Abdul Nasir, a deputy police chief, before heading out on patrol.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

Sgt. Mathew Pogorzelski of Phillipsburg, N.J., walks through fields on the outskirts of Kandahar after hearing gunshots that may have been aimed at his platoon.

Sgt. Mathew Pogorzelski of Phillipsburg, N.J., walks through fields on the outskirts of Kandahar after hearing gunshots that may have been aimed at his platoon.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

First Lt. James Rathmann of Palm Beach, Fla., listens to a resident during a patrol on the outskirts of Kandahar.

First Lt. James Rathmann of Palm Beach, Fla., listens to a resident during a patrol on the outskirts of Kandahar.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

Soldiers try to get one of their armored vehicles out of a ditch during a patrol on the outskirts of Kandahar.

Soldiers try to get one of their armored vehicles out of a ditch during a patrol on the outskirts of Kandahar.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

First Lt. James Rathmann talks on the radio during a recent patrol in Kandahar. When Rathmann's battalion arrived a year ago, the city had 600 police officers. It now has 800, with nearly 1,200 recruits about to start training.

First Lt. James Rathmann talks on the radio during a recent patrol in Kandahar. When Rathmann's battalion arrived a year ago, the city had 600 police officers. It now has 800, with nearly 1,200 recruits about to start training.

Ernesto Londono-The Washington Post

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