At a whisper, Samargul Jauntguz recites poetry from a book written by revered Pashto poet Malang Jan. "Some of the poems in this book are about freedom and the need for Pashtuns to reclaim their tribal-lands from the government of Pakistan," said Jauntguz, a soldier in the Afghan National Army (ANA) at Observation Post (OP) Bari Alai, Kunar province on February 20, 2010.

Afghanistan shares a 2,400-kilometer-long border with Pakistan. According to the words of poet Malang Jan, tribal-lands were taken by Pakistan without due process. Much of this land is now under the control of guerrilla forces.

Words and Photo by James Lee

With a water kettle blackened with soot, Muslim Nuqari rinses soap from a meal tray at Observation Post  (OP) Bari Alai, Kunar province on February 21, 2010. As a soldier in the Afghan National Army, Nuqari is often required to work at the Bari Alai field kitchen.  "Washing dishes is not a bad job," said Nugari, while squatting down to peel a large sack of brown potatoes.

Words and Photo by James Lee

High above a vertical rocky slope, a pair of flagpoles displays the colors of Afghanistan at Observation Post (OP) Bari Alai, Kunar province on February 21, 2010. At an elevation of 1,300 meters, this small mountaintop post rises over several terraced river valleys. Less than a year ago, more than 100 guerrilla fighters climbed towards OP Bari Alai and launched a coordinated attack. With a deadly barrage of machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades, the guerrillas were able to gain control of the post. Three Afghan National Army (ANA) solders were killed during the battle and eleven were captured by the armed guerrillas.

Additionally, five International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers were killed. Among the dead were three US soldiers and two Latvian NATO soldiers. Subsequent investigations focused on key failures, including the limited military capabilities of an inexperienced and possibly complicit ANA.  In the aftermath, Latvian officers learned several costly lessons. "Never rely completely on your Afghan partners and develop integrated force protection plans that allow for their failure," said Latvian Major Ilmars Lejins. Moreover, Lejins concluded that a lack of operational communication between Latvian and US military leaders on the ground contributed directly to the loss of life in the mountains at OP Bari Alai.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier Arif Chander cautiously reaches for his rifle through the window of a guard tower while listening to a sudden burst of automatic gunfire at the mountaintop Observation Post (OP) Bari Alai, Kunar province on February 21, 2010. Chander decided not to return fire after he was unable to positively identify a target. "I was not afraid to shoot back," said Chander. "I could not see who was shooting at us."

Words and Photo by James Lee

Early this month, US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates offered armored transport vehicles and electronic equipment to those NATO member countries that are willing to deploy soldiers to Afghanistan. But there was no word of equipping the Afghan National Army (ANA) with this type of expensive military hardware. However, many ANA soldiers are not concerned with the reported advantages of next generation armored vehicles. According to Hydargul Hawskhan, they are waiting for combat gear and expanded training.

"We need night vision gear and scopes for our rifles," said Hawskhan, a soldier in the ANA at Observation Post (OP) Bari Alai, Kunar province on February 21, 2010. "We also need training on the weapons used by the Americans, I can not operate some of the weapons located in our fighting positions." In addition, he explained that Afghanistan would remain dependent on assistance from foreign soldiers until the ANA becomes properly equipped.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Hydargul Hawskhan leans into his assigned shack on the embattled edge of Observation Post (OP) Bari Alai, Kunar province on February 21, 2010. He shares this makeshift shelter with fellow soldiers in the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Words and Photo by James Lee

Kneeling in the direction of Mecca, Nieh Bullaah ignores a loud group of fellow Afghan Security Guards (ASG) while performing the Qu'ud in Gahziabad district, Kunar province on February 16, 2010. Before praying, he squatted outside of the crowded ASG barracks room and rinsed his body in warm water. Standing behind Nieh Bullaah, another guard waits for enough space to begin the Salaat, the Islamic prayer.

Words and Photo by James Lee

With a compact mirror in hand, Mahlang-John Hasta-Khan watches the hands of his barber, while seated on the roof of a sandbag reinforced guard tower located in Gahziabad district, Afghanistan on February 14, 2010. "I always feel better after a hair cut," said Khan, an Afghan Security Guard (ASG). As a guard, he inspects vehicles at a roadside checkpoint at Combat Observation Post (COP) Pirtle King.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Before lunch, Marsham Khan rotates a goat head above a steel ammunition can full of hot coals in Gahziabad district, Afghanistan on February 15, 2010. "Removing all the hair is the hardest part," said Khan, an Afghan Security Guard (ASG) at Combat Observation Post (COP) Pirtle King. "The tongue is the best meat, it has a very sweet taste."

Words and Photo by James Lee

A fast moving snowstorm finds Hakim-John Al-Sadine splitting wood at a labor camp in Gahziabad district, Afghanistan on February 15, 2010. Millions of trees have been lost to deforestation in the past decade, as illegal timber exporters and local villagers compete for wood inside of the few remaining forests in Afghanistan. Tree felling has reduced the biodiversity of woodland habitats and increased the risk of deadly avalanches.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Looking for better pay, Osman Mohammad walked away from the Afghan National Army (ANA) and became one of thousands of privately contracted interpreters that work alongside International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Without these local interpreters, ISAF would be unable to effectively communicate with national security forces and civilians alike.

"American soldiers do not speak Pashto or Dari," said Mohammad, while standing with his face partially concealed at Forward Operating Base Bostick, Kunar province on February 11, 2010. "Interpreters are the only connection between American soldiers and Afghans."

According to several interpreters employed by Mission Essential Personnel (MEP), this Afghan connection has fallen into disrepair. Based inside the US, MEP employs more than 4,000 employees worldwide. In Afghanistan, issues ranging from safety to disability benefits have strained relationships between contracted local national interpreters and ISAF. A few interpreters have tried to speak out, but claim their voices were ignored by MEP supervisors.

Haroom Safi, an Afghan interpreter under contract with MEP, explained why many interpreters have become frustrated and angry. "On the battlefield the Americans listen to what we are saying," said Safi. "When the shooting stops, we are forgotten." In eastern Afghanistan, such feelings of neglect may have escalated to murder. Last month, an Afghan interpreter shot and killed two US soldiers at a combat outpost located in Wardak province. A subsequent investigation revealed the shooter had argued with both victims about working conditions.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Out of fear, interpreter Osman Mohammad covers his face while being photographed at Forward Operating Base Bostick, Kunar Province on February 11, 2010. In Afghanistan, guerrilla forces and criminals have targeted interpreters and their relatives.

Words and Photo by James Lee

With arms outstretched, a truck driver waits to be searched at a roadside checkpoint operated by the Afghan National Army (ANA), Kunar province on February 7, 2010. As a security measure, checkpoints are located along major traffic routes in the region.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Uniformed visitors attract children to the edge of a rain soaked rooftop in the Afghan mountain village of Shirigal, Kunar province on February 6, 2010. A thorough search of the village by dozens of Afghan national security forces uncovered a pair of old rifles and a small amount of ammunition. Such joint operations involving the Afghan National Police (ANP) and the Afghan National Army (ANA) are focused on reducing criminal activity while denying guerrilla forces access to safe havens.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Behind his rifle, an Afghan National Police (ANP) recruit waits for his target to be scored  during weapons training at Forward Operating Base Bostick, Kunar province on February 4, 2010. Currently, recruits are required to complete eight weeks of training before serving in the ANP. Poor performance could prove deadly for some recruits. In the past year, more than 600 ANP were killed in the line of duty. Alarmingly, the death rate of the ANP nearly equals the combined casualty rate of both the Afghan National Army (ANA) and NATO troops. In addition to the threat presented by criminals and guerrilla fighters, the ANP is facing a critical shortage of qualified foreign trainers. A recent report by the United States Armed Services Committee indicated that 4,245 additional police trainers are needed in Afghanistan.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Impacting below the silhouette, an Afghan National Police (ANP) recruit struggles to hit center mass on a paper target during weapons training at Forward Operating Base Bostick, Kunar province on February 4, 2010. His shot pattern gradually improves after receiving additional instruction from an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mentor.

Words and Photo by James Lee

Dozens of village elders attend a Jirga with their elected national government representatives at the Naray District Center in Kunar province, Afghanistan on February 2, 2010. During the meeting, many of the elders spoke openly about security concerns and the continued need for public development projects. According to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) representatives,  this large assembly indicates the growth of local government within the district.

Words and Photo by James Lee

As planned, an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) platoon follows a patrol led by the Afghan National Army (ANA) through the village of Shamaser Kalay on February 1, 2010. Increasingly, the ANA is operating with limited instruction from their ISAF partners. According to ISAF soldiers from Forward Operating Base Bostick, the ability of the ANA to conduct independent military operations will become critical when ISAF begins to withdraw from Kunar province. "We have trained the Afghans to be professional soldiers," said Sergeant Luis Corral, 3rd Platoon, Apache Troop, 3-61 Calvary. "They must maintain their skills and be prepared to use them when we are gone."

Words and Photo by James Lee

Steadied by a strand of steel rebar, a child stands quietly above a dirt walkway  in the mountain village of  Saw on January 31, 2010. In Afghanistan, major infectious diseases such as malaria and typhoid fever have produced one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. For every 1,000 births, an estimated 150 infants die within their first year of life.

Photo by James Lee