5 February 2013 Last updated at 06:46 ET

What 2012 has meant for AfghanistanTaliban insurgents and their weapons confiscated by Afghan joint forces during an operation are presented to the media in Jalalabad province

The year 2012 has seen important shifts among the players in Afghanistan, setting up a crucial year ahead, writes Ahmed Rashid.

A Afghan officer from the 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 201st corps of the Afghan National Army and an officer of the 4th brigade combat team 4th infantry division of the U.S. Army talk at Forward Operating Base Joyce, in Kunar What's behind insider attacks?

BBC news examines the causes and consequences of attacks by Afghan forces on their foreign allies.

Background

Who are the Taliban? BBC News looks at the history of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan Taliban member

Nato's Afghan exit strategy How will Nato remove more than 100,000 troops and their hardware from Afghanistan? A NATO soldier aims his weapon during a gun battle in Kabul, Afghanistan Watch

Inside Camp Bastion Explore the military fortress in the Afghan desert British soldier

Bin Laden's death: How it happened How the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden unfolded and where it happened. compound promo

Can Afghan army survive Nato exit? The Afghan army faces a crucial period of transition, says the BBC's Caroline Wyatt. An Afghanistan National Army (ANA) soldier checks a weapon in Helmand Province on 2 March 2011

Anatomy of a killer Reconstructing the life and mind of an Afghan 'turncoat' guard who killed his US trainers Ezatullah Wazirwal

Features & Analysis

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