in his directive, petraeus made clear troops have the right to self-defense. but guess what, the taliban just laid out their own 69-page code of conduct for dealing with afghan civilians. >> the taliban make a very explosive exception for civilians who side with the government of the coalition who they think it's open season to kill. we aren't threatening to kill afghan civilians who express sympathy for the taliban. >> reporter: the coalition says there's evidence that the taliban doctrine is being implemented. recently some 50 elders in the kandahar region received threatening letters telling them to leave their villages or be killed. so is the taliban attacking more because it's stronger? or because it's worried the military could succeed in stopping them. stephen biddle who has advised them says right now, coalition