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Seventy nations are participating in the talks about reconstruction in Afghanistan in the Hague. The new American strategic initiative unveiled by President Obama last week will be the focus of the discussions: a modest increase in troops, more civilian participation, and wider world involvement in Afghanistan.

One important issue is the need to pay for security in Afghanistan: international support now raises $25 million a year, when the need is estimated to be around $2 billion.

Another is the unhappiness of Afghanistan's neighbors (Iran, China, Central Asian republics, India) with the American strategy of engaging the 'good' Taliban.

Kai Eide, head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, said international coordination is essential to progress in the area, but peace is not going to come easily.