Civilian deaths in Afghanistan rising, US officials halt raids

Because of a concern that rising civilian casualties in Afghanistan, including women and children, could limit the United States' goals in the region, US officials have stopped some raids in the area.

According to the NYT - "Still, there is little dispute that the increased intensity of American military operations in Afghanistan last year has contributed to the rise in the civilian death toll. As President Obama sends thousands more troops to the war-ravaged country, some officials worry that each civilian death may only drive Afghans toward the Taliban and other militant groups."

This is the question. How will regular civilians react to an increased US presence? Could this fuel a nationalist response, or the emergence of the Taliban as a seemingly better alternative in the eyes of Afghani citizens?