As the US-led forces have already started returning home, the Taliban are filling the gap. This is indicated by reports based on which insurgents have enhanced their presences in provinces of Ghazni, Kandahar, Helmand and others. Last month, the insurgents launched multiple attacks in capital Kabul and other provinces of Afghanistan. This speaks of their capability and potential to plan and execute terror attacks across the country.

What one can observe in the prevailing situation in Afghanistan is that the Taliban are now more organized and stronger than before. The same was expressed by two senior U.S. lawmakers on Sunday. "I think we both say that what we found is the Taliban is stronger," Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein told "Fox News Sunday" in an interview that included House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, who agreed with her statement. The two lawmakers returned last week from a trip to Afghanistan.

The statements like 'Taliban have been defeated,' or 'Taliban have been pushed back in their strongholds,' or 'Peace and reconciliation process has split Taliban' look good merely on papers. The reality is that the outfit is thinking of overthrowing Karzai government. With the decrease in the number of international troops in Afghanistan, the number of Taliban, Haqqani Network and al Qaida fighters are expected to increase.

Reportedly, thousands of insurgents are undergoing training in neighboring countries. The Taliban have also called upon Islamic countries and every Muslim for funding donations so that they can meet the growing need of their operations in Afghanistan. They are getting ready for post-2014 era.

There is no need to be overly optimistic about Afghanistan's future. Once the NATO forces are out, Taliban's return will be inevitable. The negotiation process serves as the only big hope for Afghan government and its international backers. Nonetheless, the Taliban have been trying to use the process for their political objectives and lack intention of resolving Afghan war through negotiations. The US and its allies need not to underestimate the Taliban whether it is the battle field or negotiation table.