Afghans express effects of war as Karzai begins second presidential term

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was inaugurated to a second term today, stating he would battle corruption and drug trafficking that runs rampant in the country.  He also made promises about the country’s military effort against the Taliban – setting goals that encouraged US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Kabul for the event.

"I was very pleased to hear today when President Karzai said that he hopes that within three years, the Afghan security forces will have the lead in important areas and within five years -- which is an ambitious goal, but he stated it -- the Afghan security forces would have the lead throughout the country."

Karzai’s reelection came amid controversy and widespread voter fraud, but a run off vote was cancelled after his primary opponent dropped out of the race.

The inauguration comes as President Obama is weighing options in the country, including an increase in US troops.

As policy is debated in the capitols, the people of Afghanistan are rarely heard in the debate. A new report that draws on the work of NGOs and development groups working on the ground in Afghanistan documents those voices. It's called "The Cost of War: Afghan Experiences of Conflict 1978 - 2009" and it was written by Oxfam International and Afghan NGOs.

To discuss the report's findings, we're joined by Shannon Scribner, a senior policy advisor with Oxfam International.