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France's plan to withdraw from Afghanistan a year ahead of schedule is of particular concern in a small province near Kabul. Local authorities say the 3,900 French troops deployed there have held an important line against the Taliban, and that an early exit could plunge the area into crisis.

U.S. and Afghan officials have resumed talks on a deal that will determine how many American troops stay after the NATO mission ends. But until a deal is signed, it's hard for Afghans to know what's ahead, and the uncertainty may be helping the insurgents.

The report, based on interrogations with captured fighters, says Taliban leaders are intimately involved with Pakistan's intelligence agency. "The Taliban are not Islam. The Taliban are Islamabad," one detainee is quoted as saying.

Pinning the blame on Pakistan is "unjustified and unacceptable," the country's military concluded in its report.

Four French troops were killed today by a member of the Afghan National Army. The New York Times says there have been dozens of such attacks since 2007. Also today, six U.S. Marines died in a helicopter crash. The cause of the crash isn't known.

The U.S. is trying diplomatic damage control since American forces were involved in a border shooting that left two dozen Pakistani troops dead last month. But in a relationship that was already deeply troubled, Pakistani leaders do not want to be seen cooperating with the U.S.