Firepower and Food

Iran's Largesse Having long supported the fighters of the Northern Alliance, Iran is now also allowing international humanitarian relief flights

Oman Port The U.S. has been given access to a modern air base just off the coast of Oman

Naval Buildup The U.S. has dispatched a fourth aircraft carrier--the Kitty Hawk--to the region to serve as a floating base for ground troops

Uzbekistan Base This former Soviet state opened an airfield for U.S. search-and-rescue teams--but not attack forces. The Pentagon sent the first 1,000 troops at week's end

Special Ops U.S. commandos are reported to have made reconnaissance sorties in Taliban-controlled territory

Gone to Ground Anticipating U.S. strikes, Taliban leader Mohammed Omar has reportedly left his headquarters in Kandahar and joined Taliban fighters in their mountain retreats

Food Convoys The U.N. was running trucks full of food into northern Afghanistan, but was blocked from distributing relief supplies in Kandahar

Taliban Tremors Commanders of Taliban forces in three provinces have reportedly made contact with the opposition. Will they switch sides?

War Preparations Buoyed by an infusion of new troops and weapons, Northern Alliance forces seemed to be preparing for a new offensive against Kabul or Mazar-i-Sharif

Sources: U.S. Air Force, United Nations, Associated Press, Reuters, Jane's Information Group, Trouble Spots: The World Atlas of Strategic Information, GlobalSecurity.org U.S. Department of Defense