Here’s an interesting account of the stand-off going on right now in Afghanistan between the Taliban and U.S. Troops written by Ian Cobain (in Konduz Province) and Damian Whitworth (in Washington D.C.) :
America will take no prisoners

The title sounds harsh, but it’s actually a pretty objective article. I mean, on the one hand, sure, it would be kinda silly to go all the way out of there and then kinda look the other way when “they” (or, in this case, the “friends of they”) are finally surrounded.

But at the same time, there’s no need to be too hasty about it if there’s a chance that perhaps thousands of innocent people might be saved…

AMERICAN forces attacking Taleban fighters in Afghanistan are
under orders to take no prisoners, the US Defence Secretary said
last night.

Donald Rumsfeld also ruled out suggestions that thousands of
al-Qaeda mercenaries trapped in the northern city of Konduz
might be allowed to negotiate safe passage to a third country, and
said that America would do all in its power to stop Mullah
Muhammad Omar, the Taleban leader, fleeing Afghanistan.