Honestly I am less concerned by their use of open attacks than I am by their use of parallel/shadow government. See:

Christian Science Monitor
October 15, 2008
Pg. 1

Shadow Government

Some Afghans Live Under Taliban Rule – And Prefer It

By Anand Gopal, Correspondent

Porak, Afghanistan - After a gang of thieves had continually terrorized an Afghan neighborhood near here months ago, locals decided they'd had enough. "We complained several times to the government and even showed them where the thieves lived," says Ahmad, who goes by one name.

But the bandits continued to operate freely. So the villagers turned to the Taliban.

The militants' parallel government here in Logar Province – less than 40 miles from Kabul
That said, such attacks do speak to a greater willingness to go head to head with the ANA. Hopefully the ANA will continue to meet the challenge.


Tom