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Under the risky program, the hardened fighters must promise to give up violence and are threatened with further punishment, but there is nothing to stop them resuming attacks against Afghan and American troops.

"Everyone agrees they are guilty of what they have done and should remain in detention. Everyone agrees that these are bad guys. But the benefits outweigh the risks," a US official told the Post.

From CNN:

"The Taliban has a shadow system of governors in many provinces. They've gone up north. They've gone to the east. Attacks are up,” she told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.

Rogers, agreeing with her on the Taliban’s impact, added other reasons for what he assessed as the group’s increasing strength.

“This is a huge problem. And what we have found is maybe the policies, the announced date of withdrawal, the negotiations with the Taliban, have worked against what our endgame is here,” Rogers said.