Facts matter: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter. Support our nonprofit reporting. Subscribe to our print magazine.
US Army Sgt. Nathan West, left, from Minneapolis, Mo., serving with C Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, and an Afghan National Army soldier, search for a possible weapons cache, November 29, 2011, outside Camp Parsa, Khowst province, Afghanistan. Making themselves a constant presence, US and Afghan forces work to introduce themselves to the locals and discourage insurgent activity. (US Army photo by Spc. Phillip McTaggart / Released)
