41.   Many Muslims consider members of the secretive, Shiite sect to be heretics, and the group tends to stick together.

42.   Minority groups also tend to have higher fertility rates than non-Hispanic whites, he added.

43.   The three main ethnic groups tend to go their own way politically and economically.

44.   These groups tend to be better equipped than outsiders to deal with cultural complexities and the lack of record-keeping typical in Afghanistan, especially in rural areas.

45.   This group tended to be older, wealthier and pessimistic about their prognosis.

46.   Rebel groups tend to lose their organizational structure and discipline among militants declines once material advantage becomes their goal, Radu noted.