By early 2009, a growing number of Members of Congress, Admin. officials, and outside experts had concluded that the war in Afghanistan required greater national attention Since 2001, the character of the war in Afghanistan has evolved from a violent struggle against al Qaeda and its Taliban supporters to a multi-faceted counterinsurgency effort. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the U.S. launched Operation Enduring Freedom in order to end the ability of the Taliban regime to provide safe haven to al Qaeda and to put a stop to al Qaeda¿s use of the territory of Afghanistan as a base of operations for terrorist activities. This report provides analysis of current developments and future options concerning the war in Afghanistan. Map.