KABUL (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that the international community will support the embattled Afghan government, but expects it to build up the country's defense forces, boost security and improve the lives of its impoverished people.

The role thrusts Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton into the thick of a critical international problem.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers a speech in heavy rain, at the U.S. pavilion site of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Shanghai, China. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The new and risky role for Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton thrusts her into the thick of a critical international problem, but also hitches her reputation to the mercurial Afghan president, Hamid Karzai.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that the international community will support the embattled Afghan government, but expects it to build up the country's defence forces, boost security and improve the lives of its impoverished people.

Associated Press file photoSecretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves at an appearance in Washington earlier this year.KABUL -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Afghanistan to attend Thursday's inauguration of President Hamid Karzai and meet...

Hillary Rodham Clinton , on her first trip to Afghanistan as U.S. secretary of state, said Wednesday that President Hamid Karzai 's inauguration provides a new chance for him to strengthen government accountability and take tangible steps to improve the liv.

What's Your Reaction? KABUL — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Afghanistan to attend Thursday's inauguration of President Hamid Karzai and meet with top U.S. commander Gen. Stanley McChystal.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lauded the newly sworn-in Afghan president for outlining a plan to crack down on corruption in his inaugural speech Thursday, but warned that Washington and the international community would hold him to his promises.

Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton's Trip to Afghanistan Ian Kelly Department Spokesman Washington, DC November 18, 2009 Secretary Clinton will travel to Afghanistan to attend President Karzai’s November 19 inauguration ceremony, meet with Afghanistan’s leadership, international partners and allies, US troops, staff in Provincial Reconstruction Teams, and Embassy staff. This is the Secretary's ...