and we re prepared to continue this heightened level of support in the coming weeks if the taliban continue their attacks. reporter: airstrikes have hit taliban targets in a key stronghold where fighting has raged. several strikes have been aimed at military equipment the taliban captured from afghan forces. but can those afghan units hang on against the taliban who now control half of all district centers? a grim assessment from the director of the cia. the taliban are making significant military advances. they are probably in the strongest military position that they ve been in since 2001. reporter: the chairman of the joint chiefs says afghan forces are trying to regroup and defend major cities. strategic momentum appears to be sort of with the taliban. there s a possibility of a complete taliban takeover or breakdowns, war lordism.