TALIBAN UNDER INTERNAL ATTACK

They were pushing to within striking distance of the strategically and pyschologically vital city. They have advanced to Bagram airport, situated to the north of the capital. The offensive is just one of a series of devastating blows suffered by the Taliban regime in the last 24 hours And for the first time in history the Taliban is opposed on all sides. Russia, China, Iran and India, who all see Islamic fundamentalism as a threat to stability in their own countries, want the hardliners out. Russian soldiers are patrolling the Afghan border. Saudi Arabia - the birthplace of Islam - struck a major psychological wound on Tuesday when it cut diplomatic ties with the hardline Islamic regime. That leaves Pakistan the only country with political links to Afghanistan. And for the first time in history the Taliban is opposed on all sides. Russia, China, Iran and India, who all see Islamic fundamentalism as a threat to stability in their own countries, want the hardliners out. Tony Blair warned on Tuesday Britain and America would attack Afghanistan if it failed to hand over Osama bin Laden - the man accused of orchestrating the World Trade Centre.