'The Taliban and al-Qaeda have become symbiotic, each benefiting from the success and mythology of the other. Rolling back the Taliban is now necessary, even if not sufficient, to the ultimate defeat of al-Qaeda'
United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates about US President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan
Background
Many people want Obama to end the war in Afghanistan. Others fear if the US leaves the Taliban will take over. Last week Obama decided to send 30,000 more troops to Kabul to defeat the Taliban. The Taliban wants to take away people's freedom.
Al-Qaeda is a group of terrorists. Gates says the two groups have become 'symbiotic'. This means they get strength from each other's success. The phrase 'rolling back' means not so much beating as taking power from. Gates says beating the Taliban may not be enough (sufficient) to defeat al-Qaeda.
