Global economic turmoil and the instability had outpaced terrorism as the most urgent threat facing the United States.

The new director of national intelligence Blair told Congress on Thursday 1-12-09.

Blair also used his testimony to deliver a withering critique of the Afghan government's inability to halt the spread of the Taliban, and he said corruption in Kabul and throughout the country had bolstered support for the Taliban and warlords.

Blair named the American-backed government of President Hamid Karzai as part of the problem in Afghanistan

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/13/america/13intel.php