Afghan border region has long served as a base for extremist groups
Now a US resident, war veteran was a guest of Democratic party senator
A flurry of terror attacks in the country is forcing its leaders to try to quell public anger by taking a more aggressive approach in fighting the problem
Neighboring nations agree cooperation needed to fight cross-border terrorism but each disagree on how other side is tackling problem
Muslim organization holds seventh annual 'Day on the Hill' to lobby congressmen on key issues
While new US administration sorts out its foreign policy, Moscow on move to fill vacuum
For its part, Moscow denies that it provides aid to the Taliban and says its contacts with the group are aimed at encouraging them to enter peace talks
33 percent view US very unfavorably and 14 percent rate it somewhat unfavorably; Russia fares worse
