The mass killing of 16 Afghans by a lone American soldier has resulted in severely damaged relations between the US and Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Robert Bales has been accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians, including women and children. Karzai, the president of Afghanistan has said that relations between the countries are at the end of their rope and that US troops should return home early. In a few weeks, Obama is expected to address the issue of early troop return.