11.   However, the United States seems prepared to rely on Afghan opposition troops known as the Northern Alliance to sweep away most of the Taliban ground forces.

12.   In October, an armed Predator also attacked and hit the Taliban convoy pursuing Afghan opposition leader Abdul Haq, but failed to prevent his capture and execution.

13.   Iran, which backs an Afghan opposition faction, said it would support a United Nations-led effort against terrorism.

14.   Instead the United States and its allies should work to strengthen armed Afghan opposition groups like the Northern Alliance and help them from the air.

15.   Moreover, Iran strongly supported the Afghan opposition groups that fought the Taliban.

16.   Nonetheless, the Bush administration had a justifiable ulterior reason for bombing Taliban troops and helping the disparate factions of the Afghan opposition overcome the Taliban.

17.   Rumsfeld seemed confident that Afghan opposition forces would defeat the Taliban in their last stronghold of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.

18.   Rumsfeld spoke as talks in Bonn among various Afghan opposition groups struggled toward creating a post-Taliban government.

19.   Rival Afghan opposition groups meet Tuesday morning in Germany in a preliminary effort to fashion a unified government.

20.   Russia announced that it will provide more support for the Afghan opposition forces, including weapons and other military equipment, President Vladimir Putin said Monday in Moscow.