As President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai has faced enormous challenges — including a resurgent Taliban, a rampant narcotics trade and the need to rebuild from years of conflict. As the votes are being counted in the country's recent presidential election, we present the incumbent president's views on the challenges facing Afghanistan.

1. Do you think rebuilding Afghanistan will be a long-term undertaking?

"I am warning the world. It is not rosy at all. It will take many, many years before we can stand on our own feet, in every walk of life."

(May 2005)

2. What do you view as a primary challenge for your region?

"We have to end extremism. We have to end support for extremism in the region. Unless we do that, the picture is one of doom and gloom."

(January 2008)

3. Are you frustrated by the Taliban's persistence?

"The Afghans don't understand anymore how come a little force like the Taliban can continue to exist, can continue to flourish, can continue to launch attacks with 40 countries in Afghanistan, with the entire NATO force in Afghanistan, with the entire international community behind them. Still, we are not able to defeat the Taliban."

(November 2008)

4. How are you attempting to resolve this problem?

"If we resolve the difficulty with Pakistan, the question of the Taliban will go away automatically. So are we talking to the Taliban? Yes, we are. We are talking to Pakistan."

(December 2006)

5. What about opium?

"Yes, we produce poppies. Yes, we are insecure because of that. Are we a ‘narco-state,' as we've been called the past few years? No, we are not."

(February 2009)

6. How grave is the problem posed by opium?

"Opium cultivation and heroin production are more dangerous than the invasion and the attack of the Soviets on our country."

(December 2004)

7. What is a key lesson from Afghanistan's history?

"The Afghan history teaches that Afghanistan is an empire breaker."

(November 2003)

8. In what way is being President of Afghanistan a balancing act?

"I had to balance the Muslim world. I had to make Afghanistan a country where all work together for it. And that I have managed. Fortunately. But, you know, at great personal stress and cost."

(August 2009)

9. What's a measure of your commitment to your country?

"I'm an exhausted person. I've not begun this seven years ago. I've begun this when I was 22. I've not had a private life since then. I deserve one. I long for one. The moment I get this choice, I would leave."

(August 2009)

10. And finally, how do you describe yourself?

"I'm a very, very, very simple person. I have no property. I have no money. I have no love for luxury."

(August 2009)

Last updated September 17, 2009