Two new assessments are painting a bleak picture of the US-led war in Afghanistan, the day before the White House unveils its review of strategy.
The Red Cross found armed groups were making life more difficult for Afghans.
And US intelligence assessments reported by the New York Times suggest there is a limited chance of success unless Pakistan hunts down insurgents.
President Obama is expected to say the US plan to begin withdrawing in 2011 remains on track, aides have said.
American military commanders and senior Pentagon officials have already criticized the US National Intelligence Estimates assessments as out of date.
The bleak reports came as Afghan President Hamid Karzai told Afghans that Nato should transfer full responsibility for all the country's affairs, including security, to Afghans by the end of 2014.
In a live television address, he criticised his own administration for failing to tackle corruption, but highlighted international involvement in security firms, prisons and in delivering foreign aid as areas of particular concern.
"The bigger corruption is the corruption of the international community in Afghanistan and this can be addressed only through two ways.
"First, through their cordial, sincere and true cooperation and by allowing Afghans to manage their own affairs, so that they assume full responsibility for their country and their activities". BBC News
