American and Afghan forces continue to fight a shadowy war along the Pakistan border. Afghan troops, selected and trained according to Western standards, are getting combat experience under the supervision of American officers and NCOs. Meanwhile, US troops are constantly experimenting with new tactics and technology to catch Taliban and al Qaeda fighters crossing the border and then trying to operate in southern Afghanistan. Not much is being reported on these operations, mainly because many of the new tactics, and technologies, become less effective if details become known (to the enemy).