The Afghani’s kicked Taliban Ass and it was not that long ago. The Afghani’s hate Karzai, they know he is corrupt to the core. They of course roam freely because if they can’t they make a statement by killing villagers. And as for Karzai to threaten to allow them as part of the government was all for him retaining power. Remove him and put a strong leader in there and the tide will turn.
I believe the US removed most Al Qaida elements from Afghanistan; the Taliban are a different story. Unlike many of the Al Qaida fighters, most of the Taliban ARE Afghans, and the government is unable to suppress them. I think Westerners are deceived into thinking Afghans are just like us, or want to be except for these repressive clerics & such; the fact is that Islam is a central part of their lives (even when they live in Western countries). Since dissent isn’t tolerated, they toe the line even when they are in a “safe” environment. They are Muslims, plain & simple, and as long as that is the case that culture will pervade any environment they settle. It has for more than a millenium; there is no reason to expect it to change now.