[img]http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100216/capt.537d5ac6169a416e9d9c974c327e9b47.mideast_jordan_u_s__amm101.jpg?x=130&y=86&q=85&sig=gC6uj0JezLOdc31LpRU6xQ--[/img]AP - The nation's top defense leaders said Monday that U.S.-led forces were making steady progress in their efforts in a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan but faced stiffer resistance than expected and the operation would take longer than hoped.