It has the all the hallmarks of a stirring speech, full of pregnant pauses and stirring crescendos. Scattered amongst tattered bedrolls, Afghan soldiers sit cross-legged on the cement floor, listening with the rapt attention usually reserved for the gyrating women of Pakistani music videos. Large fans circle in unison high above, slicing through fluorescent light and stilted air. "We are leaving Kandahar, but that is no reason to get lazy", bellows Afghan Army Lieutenant Hossainshah, gripping his beret in a fist. "The Taliban are in Kabul. The Taliban are in Herat. The Taliban are in Mazar-i-Sharif." Pausing for breath. "The Taliban are in Jalalabad."
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