A month after the 2001 invasion, Mullah Mohammed Omar gave a long since forgotten interview to the BBC Pashto service.
“This is not a matter of weapons,” he said, “We are hopeful for God’s help. The real matter is the extinction of America.”
Washington and London wrote the Taliban off regardless. Victory was declared and Iraq was next on the agenda.
Eight years later, US and British soldiers are being drawn deeper into a war that threatens to turn into a quagmire. Suicide attacks, roadside bombings and assassinations have become part of every day life for the Afghan people.
The Taliban never actually went away. Now they are well and truly back.
Pictures by Chris Sands, all photos copyright Makoto Photographic Agency and the photographer. Reproduction in any form without permission prohibited.