"Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan - What was billed as a pivotal summer for the Western war effort in Afghanistan has become a season of drift and disappointment.

"The country's second direct presidential election -- a vote that was intended to be unifying, even uplifting -- has taken an uncertain and ugly turn.

"The first partial results, released Tuesday, were inconclusive but pointed toward the possibility of a divisive runoff between President Hamid Karzai and his chief rival, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. Meanwhile, fraud allegations have become more vehement and angry."