The battle for Kandahar

American Special Operations forces have been working to weaken the Taliban for several weeks in Kandahar as part of a pending operation in the southern Afghanistan city. Earlier today a series of bombs struck the city and the U.N. told 200 Afghan employees to stay in their homes on account of the deteriorating security in the region. The operation is being touted as a “make or break” battle in the Afghan war.

Further complicating the situation is the role of President Karzai’s brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, who is a key player in Kandahar and has been accused of corruption and being a drug lord. For more on what’s at stake, we’re joined by New York Times correspondent, Richard Oppel, Jr.