P1130910. KABUL, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, International Security Assistance Force Command Senior Enlisted Leader, left, and Sergeant Major of the Afghan National Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Roshan Safi, speak with the Commandant of the ANA Sergeant Major Academy at a meeting Sept. 23 in the schoolhouse at the Kabul Military Training Center. The program has graduated two classes, and 26 ANA Sergeants Major are now enrolled in the six-month program. Afghan enlisted troops are on track to take over instruction of the course, with ISAF advisers, by January 2011. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta, ISAF PAO)

100922-N-5208T-018. NATO and International Security Assistance Force Commander Gen. David H. Petraeus meets with Brigadier General George Norton, deputy commander 4th Mechanised Brigade, to discuss recent partnerships with the Afghanistan government and National Security Forces during a visit to Regional Command-Southwest, Sept. 23. (Photo by U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Joshua Treadwell) (Released)

Ambassador & Mrs. Eikenberry visited the American University of Afghanistan September 22, 2010. Like American Universities throughout the world, the environment is completely in English, helping the students learn to function in an increasingly interconnected world.

Sonia Nassery Cole brought her film, The Black Tulip, to Kabul for its world premiere. Embassy staff were treated to a showing of the movie, shot entirely in Afghanistan, in a large shura tent. Cole also brought her son and co-producer Christopher Cole, cinematographer Dave McFarland and good friend and singer for the film's theme, Natalie Cole (no relation). The official premiere will be at Ariana Cinema Theater in Kabul later this week.

100920-A-1182G-086. Gregory Macris, Civilian Team leader with the Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, and a Falls Church, Va. resident, meets with the head leader Hakim Bawarey of the Parwan Youth Center to discuss the future Lincoln Learning Center that will replace the current Youth center, Charikar, Parwan province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 2010. Macris visits the youth center to investigate the site for the future learning center and to discuss programs to help further educate the young children of Afghanistan.(U.S. Army photo by Spc Kristina Gupton/Released)

A supporter of Pakistani religious party Jamat-e-Islami prays during a rally to condemn the verdict against alleged al-Qaida suspect Aafia Siddiqui in Karachi, Pakistan, on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. Siddiqui, a U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist convicted of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers in Afghanistan, was sentenced Thursday to 86-years in prison. AP Fowzia Siddiqui, sister of US detained Pakistani woman Aafia Siddiqui, leads an anti-US protest rally in Karachi on September 24, 2010, following the sentencing of Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui to 86 years in prison for trying to shoot US officers. Pakistan said on September 24 it would petition the United States to repatriate a Pakistani mother of three sentenced to 86 years in jail for attempted murder whose fate sparked furious protests. A New York court found Aafia Siddiqui, the once brilliant scientist dubbed 'Lady Qaeda' by the US tabloids, guilty of the attempted murder of US military officers in Afghanistan in a case that sparked outrage in Pakistan. Getty Supporters of Pakistani religious party Jamat-e-Islami rally to condemn the verdict against alleged al-Qaida suspect Aafia Siddiqui in Karachi, Pakistan on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. Siddiqui, a U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist convicted of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers in Afghanistan, was sentenced Thursday to 86 years in prison. AP Supporters of Pakistani religious party Jamat-e-Islami rally to condemn the verdict against alleged al-Qaida suspect Aafia Siddiqui in Karachi, Pakistan, on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. Siddiqui, a U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist convicted of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers in Afghanistan, was sentenced Thursday to 86 years in prison. AP Ismat Siddiqui, mother of US detained Pakistani woman Aafia Siddiqui, speaks during a news conference at her house in Karachi on September 23, 2010 following Aafia sentenced in US. The family of Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui on September 23 vowed to launch a 'movement' to get her released from jail in America. A US federal court on September 23 sentenced a Pakistani woman scientist to 86 years in prison for the attempted murder of US officers in Afghanistan, in a high-profile case closely watched in Islamabad. Aafia Siddiqui, 38, a neuroscientist trained at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was found guilty in February of trying to kill American servicemen in Afghanistan. Getty Joanna Jones (R) and her daughters Natasha (2nd R) and Caitlin (front 3rd L) watch as the hearses carrying her husband Sergeant Andrew Jones of the Royal Engineers and Trooper Andrew Howarth of the Queen's Royal Lancers are driven through the town of Wootton Bassett after their repatriation ceremony at RAF Lyneham, southern England September 23, 2010. Jones and Howarth were both killed whilst serving in Afghanistan. Reuters This September 23, 2010 courtroom drawing shows Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui (R) with Judge Richard Berman in New York. A US federal court Thursday sentenced Aafia Siddiqui to 86 years in prison for attempted murder of US officers in Afghanistan.'It is my judgement that Dr Siddiqui is sentenced to a period of incarceration of 86 years,' said judge Richard Berman. Aafia Siddiqui, 38, denounced the trial and said an appeal would be 'a waste of time. I appeal to God.' Getty Pakistani protesters rally to condemn the arrest of alleged Al-Qaida suspect Aafia Siddiqui on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Siddiqui's strange legal odyssey began two summers ago in Afghanistan, where she turned up carrying evidence that _ depending on the argument _ proved she was either a terrorist or a lunatic. AP Pakistani protesters are blocked by police officers from reaching the U. S. embassy on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 in Islamabad, Pakistan to condemn the arrest of alleged Al-Qaida suspect Aafia Siddiqui. Siddiqui's strange legal odyssey began two summers ago in Afghanistan, where she turned up carrying evidence that _ depending on the argument _ proved she was either a terrorist or a lunatic. The Pakistani scientist convicted of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers is set to be sentenced in New York City on Thursday. AP Pakistani protesters rally to condemn the arrest of alleged Al-Qaida suspect Aafia Siddiqui on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 in Islamabad, Pakistan. A US judge is scheduled to sentence Siddiqui on Thursday in federal court in Manhattan. A jury found her guilty in February of trying to kill US agents and military officers after Afghan police detained her in 2008 - a conviction that touched off protests in Pakistan. Siddiqui's strange legal odyssey began two summers ago in Afghanistan, where she turned up carrying evidence that _ depending on the argument _ proved she was either a terrorist or a lunatic. AP Afghan female officers attend their graduation ceremony for the first class of 29 women September 23, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over the last 20 weeks, eight U.S Army women mentors worked along side the 29 candidates who are some of the first to serve in a position of authority as officers in the Afghan National Army (ANA). Their ages range from 18-35, many are housewives. Getty A newly graduated female army officer of Afghan National Army, Mariam Ghulam Rasool, right, pose for a photograph with one of her instructors of the American Army after their graduation ceremony at National Army's training center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday Sept. 23, 2010. AP Director Sonia Nassery Cole speaks to the media during the premiere of her film "Black Tulip" at the Ariana cinema in Kabul September 23, 2010. "Black Tulip", Afghanistan's contender for the Oscars, premiered on Thursday at the cinema which was once the site of pitched gunbattles, but its director wants viewers to see past the violence to the richness of Afghan culture and traditions. To match Reuters Life! AFGHANISTAN-OSCAR. Reuters People arrive for the premiere of the film "Black Tulip" at the Ariana cinema in Kabul September 23, 2010. "Black Tulip", Afghanistan's contender for the Oscars, premiered on Thursday at the cinema which was once the site of pitched gunbattles, but its director wants viewers to see past the violence to the richness of Afghan culture and traditions. To match Reuters Life! AFGHANISTAN-OSCAR. Reuters Afghan female officers attend their graduation ceremony for the first class of 29 women September 23, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over the last 20 weeks, eight U.S Army women mentors worked along side the 29 candidates who are some of the first to serve in a position of authority as officers in the Afghan National Army (ANA). Their ages range from 18-35, many are housewives. Getty Female officers, also trainers for the Afghan National Army (ANA) attend a graduation ceremony in Kabul September 23, 2010. Afghanistan's army got its first female officers in decades on Thursday when 29 women graduated in a class of new recruits. Reuters An Afghan female officer gets a hug from a U.S military female mentor after the graduation ceremony for the first class of 29 women September 23, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over the last 20 weeks, eight U.S Army women mentors worked along side the 29 candidates who are some of the first to serve in a position of authority as officers in the Afghan National Army (ANA). Their ages range from 18-35, many are housewives. Getty fghan woman cheer as they attend a concert during a peace day event on September 21, 2010 in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Singer, composer, peace and rights activist Farhad Darya performed at the concert. During the Taliban era women were not allowed to go outside the chart of the house let alone a concert. Getty An Afghan woman attends a concert during a peace day event on September 21, 2010 in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Singer, composer, peace and rights activist Farhad Darya performed at the concert. During the Taliban era women were not allowed to go outside the chart of the house let alone a concert. Getty Afghan woman attend a concert during a peace day event on September 21, 2010 in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Singer, composer, peace and rights activist Farhad Darya performed at the concert. During the Taliban era women were not allowed to go outside the chart of the house let alone a concert. Getty Afghan woman cheer as they attend a concert during a peace day event on September 21, 2010 in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. Singer, composer, peace and rights activist Farhad Darya performed at the concert. During the Taliban era women were not allowed to go outside the chart of the house let alone a concert. Getty n Afghan woman walks past election posters of parliamentarian candidates in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. Afghan authorities said it was too early to judge the validity of the country's parliamentary ballot despite observers' reports of widespread fraud in the vote that was to help consolidate its shaky democracy. AP French soldiers from The 126 Infantry Regiment (RI) ' The Bisons' based at Rocco Combat Out Post watch Afghan villagers as they take part in Operation 'Glued Finger 2' in the village of Dwakoleh in Surobi District on September 21, 2010. Most of France's 3,500 soldiers inside Afghanistan are based in districts around Kabul. They are part of a NATO-led multinational force fighting the Taliban. Getty French soldiers from The 126 Infantry Regiment (RI) ' The Bisons' based at Rocco Combat Out Post search a compund as they take part in Operation 'Glued Finger 2' in the village of Dwakoleh in Surobi District on September 21, 2010. Most of France's 3,500 soldiers inside Afghanistan are based in districts around Kabul. They are part of a NATO-led multinational force fighting the Taliban. Getty Young Afghan children watch as French soldiers of the 126 Infantry Regiment (RI) ' The Bisons' based at Rocco Combat Out Post take part in Operation 'Glued Finger 2' in the village of Dwakoleh in Surobi District on September 21, 2010. Most of France's 3,500 soldiers inside Afghanistan are based in districts around Kabul. They are part of a NATO-led multinational force fighting the Taliban. Getty 2010. Allegations of fraud and a low voter turnout overshadowed vote counting in Afghanistan's parliamentary election on September 19 after widespread and deadly Taliban violence targeted the key poll. Getty Afghan girls clap along to the music during an International Peace Day ceremony in Kabul on September 21, 2010. Afghanistan's election authority put turnout in the country's September 18 parliamentary election at 47 percent based on the number of eligible voters in areas where polling centres opened. The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has said that more than 1,300 polling centres failed to open because security could not be guaranteed following Taliban threats to disrupt the election. Getty Women attend Friday prayers in the office of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan in Dushanbe September 17, 2010. Chronic poverty and a Soviet-style crackdown on religion is fuelling the growth of radical Islam in parts of Central Asia, a secular but mainly Muslim region wedged between Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and China. Picture taken September 17, 2010. Reuters A woman, wearing a headscarf according to the Islamic dress code, walks next to a women dressed in a western style on a street of Dushanbe September 18, 2010. Chronic poverty and a Soviet-style crackdown on religion is fuelling the growth of radical Islam in parts of Central Asia, a secular but mainly Muslim region wedged between Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and China. Picture taken September 18, 2010. Reuters Afghan election workers wait for vote count papers to feed the tally at Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission in Kabul, Monday Sept. 20, 2010. Afghan officials started gathering and tallying results Sunday in a process that could last weeks if not months. AP French soldiers from the 126 Infantry Regiment (RI) 'The Bisons' paint an insignia on a wall at the Rocco Combat Outpost in Surobi district on September 20, 2010. More than 3,500 French troops are stationed in the country. Allegations of fraud and a low voter turnout overshadowed vote counting in Afghanistan's parliamentary election after widespread and deadly Taliban violence targeted the key poll. Getty Burqa clad Afghan women and their daughters walk along a road in Kabul on September 17, 2010. The Taliban have kidnapped 19 people associated with Afghanistan's parliamentary election, including a candidate, eight ballot officials and 10 campaign workers, officials said. The candidate was snatched in the eastern province of Laghman and the other 18 men in Bagdhis, in the northwest, provincial chiefs of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told. Getty Chief Warrant Officer II Jessica Brewington, pilot of "Dustoff" medevac team from 101st Airborne Division, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Shadow cleans the window of a Black Hawk medevac helicopter in FOB Ramrod near Kandahar, Afghanistan September 19, 2010. Picture taken September 19, 2010. Reuters Afghan girl students study in a make-shift classroom in tents provided by UNICEF at the Afghan government-funded Babazangi school compound for pupils aged 7 to 18, in Herat, western Afghanistan September 20, 2010. Afghanistan has a female literacy rate of 12.6 percent, the lowest of any country in the world, according to the 2009 United Nations Human Development Index (UNHDI). Reuters Afghan women wait in a long line to vote at a local mosque September 18, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. More than 2,500 candidates will contest for 249 seats in the lower house of the Afghan parliament in the country's second election. The Taliban warned voters to boycott the polls threatening violence to disturb the election process. Getty An Afghan woman lets her inked finger dry before entering the polling booth to cast her vote as others wait in line September 18, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. More than 2,500 candidates will contest for 249 seats in the lower house of the Afghan parliament in the country's second election. The Taliban warned voters to boycott the polls threatening violence to disturb the election process. Getty U.S. Army medic SGT Tyrone Jordan (L) of Charlotte, NC attached to Dustoff Task Force Shadow of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade comforts a young girl as she is transported on a MEDEVAC helicopter September 18, 2010 near Marja, Afghanistan. The girl suffered wounds to her face and legs after being struck by shrapnel from a RPG that was fired at Marines patrolling in her village. Getty Afghan women wait outside a polling station to cast their ballots for the parliamentary elections in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Afghans braved Taliban rockets and polling site bombings Saturday to vote for a new parliament in elections seen as a measure of the government's competence and commitment to democratic rule. It was the first nationwide balloting since a fraud-marred presidential election last year undermined international support for President Hamid Karzai. AP U.S. Marines help as a young girl is carried by her father to a MEDEVAC helicopter September 18, 2010 near Marja, Afghanistan. The girl suffered wounds to her face and legs after being struck by shrapnel from a RPG that was fired at Marines patrolling in her village. Getty Afghan women wait outside a polling station to cast their ballots for the parliamentary elections in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Afghans braved Taliban rockets and polling site bombings Saturday to vote for a new parliament in elections seen as a measure of the government's competence and commitment to democratic rule. It was the first nationwide balloting since a fraud-marred presidential election last year undermined international support for President Hamid Karzai. The ink on the woman's finger is from traditional henna. AP Afghan political party female observers take notes at a polling station in Kabul on September 18, 2010. Afghanistan's parliamentary election presented a 'mixed picture' amid poor security that could impact voter turnout, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said. Getty An elderly Afghan woman shows off her inked finger to the camera after she made it to the polls to cast her vote September 18, 2010 in Kabul, Panjshir, Afghanistan. More than 2,500 candidates will contest for 249 seats in the lower house of the Afghan parliament in the country's second election. The Taliban warned voters to boycott the polls threatening violence to disturb the election process. Getty A burqa-clad woman walks at a polling station in Herat, western Afghanistan September 18, 2010. Afghanistan braced itself for a day of violence on Saturday as voters headed to the polls for a parliamentary election that is a crucial test of government credibility and the strength of its security forces. Reuters 200910b 460. Qal-eh ye Now, Afghanistan (Sept 20)- The inauguration ceremony of a brand new nursery school in Qal-eh ye Now was presided by the Badghis province Deputy Governor, Alhaj Abdol-Ghani Saberi, and attended by religious leaders and government representatives and the Deputy Commander of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Badghis, Lieutenant Coronel Alejandro Escamez

An Afghan woman shows off her ink-stained finger in Kabul after taking part in her country's parliamentary elections Sept. 18. Photo courtesy USAID

100918-A-4584J-6274. Gen. David H. Petraeus and Turkish Brig. Gen. Levent Colak pass by a group of Afghan women heading into Malalay Girls School in Kabul to cast their votes on election day. Petraeus, commander of NATO and International Security Assistance Force troops, visited two of the more than 500 active polling stations in the city with Colak, who heads Regional Command-Central. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lorie Jewell) (Released)

100918-A-4584J-6262. Gen. David H. Petraeus meets the principal of Malalay Girls School in Kabul while visiting polling stations with Turkish Brig. Gen. Levent Colak, commander of Regional Command-Central. Petraeus, who commands NATO and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan, toured two of the more than 500 active voting sites in the city on election day. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lorie Jewell) (Released)

100915-A-9563P-002. Spc. Samantha Romero, a medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division shows Rafi his new Chemlite mobile, handmade by 'Raider' medics at the Camp Nathan Smith Medical Aid Station Sept. 15. 'Rafi', a 6-month-old Afghan boy, was admitted to the Camp Nathan Smith Medical Aid Clinic Sept. 14 for complications related to a rare congenital heart defect. He is waiting on funding to receive a life-saving cardiothoracic surgery at the Children's Hospital in Kabul. Photo by Spc. Breanne Pye.

An Afghan woman carrying a box and leaving the Hazret Ibrahim mosque in Deh Kabul district, Afghanistan, after a food distribution. This distribution was organised by the Turkish contingent of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on the September 14, 2010. (Photo by SSgt. Romain Beaulinette, IJC Public Affairs.)

00913-A-1182G-0081. U.S. Army Sgt. Harold McFadden with the Civil Military Support Team and a Georgetown, S.C., resident provides security during a visit to the mayor's compound, Charikar, Parwan province, Afghanistan, Sept. 13. CMST and the Republic of Korea Provincial Reconstruction Team visit the city of Charikar to conduct a key leader engagement with the mayor of Charikar to address his concerns about a project to clean the trash in the city. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kristina Gupton)