Afghanistan
FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2012 file photo, Afghans shout anti-American slogans during an anti-U.S. protest in Ghani Khail, east of Kabul, Afghanistan o...
FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2012 file photo, Afghans shout anti-American slogans during an anti-U.S. protest in Ghani Khail, east of Kabul, Afghanistan over the burning of Qurans at a U.S. military base. Two U.S. troops were gunned down by an Afghan soldier and his accomplice Thursday, March 1, 2012, the latest of six American service members killed by their Afghan partners since the burning of Muslim holy books last week sent anti-Americanism soaring in a nation that has long distrusted foreigners. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)
Afghanistan
FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2012 file photo, Afghans burn an effigy representing U.S. President Barack Obama during an anti-U.S. protest in Ghani Khail, ...
FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2012 file photo, Afghans burn an effigy representing U.S. President Barack Obama during an anti-U.S. protest in Ghani Khail, east of Kabul, Afghanistan over the burning of Qurans at a U.S. military base. Two U.S. troops were gunned down by an Afghan soldier and his accomplice Thursday, March 1, 2012, the latest of six American service members killed by their Afghan partners since the burning of Muslim holy books last week sent anti-Americanism soaring in a nation that has long distrusted foreigners. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)
Panetta-Fort Campbell
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta talks to soldiers on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Sabalauski Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ky. (AP Photo/Kristi...
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta talks to soldiers on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Sabalauski Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ky. (AP Photo/Kristin M. Hall)
A trend of Afghan treachery that has taken the lives of six American troops over the past week is weakening trust between Afghan forces and the U.S. and allied troops who are training and advising them.
In the nerve-rattling setting of a conflict in which the enemy wears no uniform, it takes trust to work side by side with Afghans whose loyalties are hard to decipher.
More U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan since Feb. 1 by their supposed Afghan allies than in combat with the Taliban, according to an Associated Press review.
Administration officials insist there will be no backing away from working hand in hand with Afghan forces. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made that point when he spoke to soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division on Friday.
