But hundreds of American-led coalitroopsroopscoureded a large part of this region in two separate operations this year, trying to flush out Taliban remnants and stanch the persistent infiltration of fighters and weapons across the border from Pakistan.
With West removed, the Grammys were able to make room for the night's most puzzling and persistent guest, Foo Fighters, who released an album called "Wasting Light" in 2011, which the band, and almost nobody else, thought deserved an Album of the Year nomination.
There are persistent rumors that the fighters have acquired surface-to-air missiles that could threaten aircraft in Egypt and Israel, though these have not been confirmed.
There have been persistent reports of wounded ISIS fighters receiving treatment in Turkish hospitals close to the border with Syria.
The Tigers were persistent suicide bombers, as well as relentless guerrilla fighters, and the war took at least a hundred thousand lives in Sri Lanka.
Categorized as a first generation jet fighter, it was moderately successful, but suffered from persistent problems with engine flameouts when firing its guns at high altitudes due to gun gas ingestion.
And there was no more persistent, lingering question than how Lewis would fare against Tyson, the best-known fighter of the last two decades.
American and allied forces have choked the flow of foreign fighters coming into Iraq from Syria and Iran, curbing a small but persistent source of combatants that has fueled the insurgency, especially in the Sunni Muslim heartland, American military officers said Monday.
There have been persistent rumors and accusations of drug use in the ranks of Islamic State fighters.
There have been persistent rumours of a breach between Mr Nour and Mr Déby Itno, and proposals to disarm FUC fighters have been withdrawn.
