Maybe you should ask the Russians?

America's top military commander General Richard Myers, says he believes there will be a big increase in violence, ahead of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections in September.

Our Washington correspondent Michael Rowland reports that the Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Myers says although progress is being made in Afghanistan the country remains extremely volatile.

General Myers expects Coalition troops to face a surge of violence from Taliban rebels in the months leading up to the elections.

"Certainly there are remnants of Taliban, well trained, good fighters, been fighting for a long time, very capable, that are currently pretty much staying to the hills," he said.

Staying to the hills in small well trained groups beat the Soviets. Maybe the US Government should read up on that war.