Voter registration has been hampered by rugged terrain, poor security, bureaucracy and cultural constraints on women's participation in public life.
The Taliban have become increasingly bold in their attacks and control several districts across a country where access to many areas is still limited by rugged terrain and poor security.
The remote location, as well as the rugged structure, provides unparalleled security for the world's agricultural heritage, and the facility is also equipped with motion detectors and CCTV.
Rugged terrain might also provide security cover [16].
There are few Afghan security troops in Nuristan's rugged mountains and only a small number of American troops in the province.
But he is trying to make the country's national-security strategy a bit more rugged too.This week the rulers of North Korea are giving him a chance to try out a tougher stance.
Across the border, tens of thousands of Pakistani troops are battling suspected Qaeda fighters and allied Pashtun tribesman in the rugged tribal regions, a semiautonomous area that Pakistani security forces had largely avoided until recent years.
Mr Kerry hopes Wednesday's talks will help to bolster security in Afghanistan and along its rugged 2,600 km (1,600 mile) border with Pakistan.
The authorities believe that the high number of deaths are likely due to above-average and unrelenting heat in southern Arizona this month and tighter border security that pushes immigrants to more remote, rugged and dangerous terrain.
