The meeting with the Taliban took months to organise. After a short moment of tension the door to the compound opens and the commander greets the crew: 'This is the late Mullah Dadullah's home. When he was killed twenty thousand more came forward in the name of Dadullah. This is the Taliban way. When one is killed another comes in. Then another. We don't leave the ground empty.' Their determination to drive out NATO forces at all costs is stronger than ever. As security disintegrates, villagers flee the countryside but soon realise that even Kabul is caught in a cross fire of government and Taliban rockets: 'I don't know what to do and where to run. We are completely disillusioned.' Like this man, most Afghans feel disappointed with the government and many are even joining the Taliban. Poverty plays an important role: 'They do this because they need a piece of bread to eat', the commander tells us. The fact that the Taliban pay more than government forces may account for their popularity but it is not the only factor: 'We want to defend our independence, Islam and Afghan national pride. Jihad is the only way for us. Our Jihad.' Says one of the new recruits. This is the Taliban's new creed and a shift in the nature of the movement. Within the compound, betting and music are tolerated, showing a more relaxed approach to Islam. Their focus seems to have moved from religion to patriotism but their will to win the war remains unchanged.