Gondalabuk's a desolate outpost in Afghanistan. U.S. forces face a daunting challenge in the Doab district of Nuristan. It lies on one of the principal infiltration routes through the Hindu Kush mountains for insurgents based in Pakistan's tribal area who hope to overthrow the U.S. backed government in Kabul. (Philip Smucker/MCT) (Philip Smucker / MCT)