VOICED: US Marines eye battle as Afghan spring looms

The transcript discusses the ongoing conflict in Helmand province, Afghanistan, highlighting the significant loss of foreign soldiers and the strategic importance of the region. It outlines President Obama's efforts to stabilize southern Afghanistan by deploying additional US troops. Despite some military successes, there are concerns about the sustainability of these gains once US forces withdraw by 2014. Local leaders fear a Taliban resurgence, and the slow progress in training Afghan security forces, coupled with rampant government corruption, exacerbates these concerns. The transcript concludes with the anticipation of increased Taliban attacks as spring approaches, which could influence the war's outcome.

What are the major challenges faced by the Afghan government in terms of corruption?

What do U.S. Marines believe about the outcome of the war in the coming months?