A stunning piece on last night's evening news from my colleague, Al Leithead in Afghanistan.

I had meant to blog it anyway, but Jim e-mailed from the US to sing its praises:

"Alistair Leithead's report from Afghanistan last night on BBC World News (the feed we receive in the United States)is one of the reasons I watch the channel. He is an excellent reporter and that report while riding with the British troops, plus conversations with them, and the risks under fire from the Taliban was excellent.

It's compelling, courageous reporting, without fanfare or grandstanding. Watch the piece here.