His visit was characterized by attempts to demonstrate unity after recent public criticism had strained the relationship between the two countries.

Leaders from both sides tried to cast their past troubles as signs of a maturing relationship. The administration also stressed the long-term commitment of the United States to Afghanistan.

"Obviously there are going to be tensions in such a complicated and difficult environment and in a situation in which on the ground both Afghans and Americans are making enormous sacrifices," U.S. President Barack Obama said Wednesday at a news conference with Karzai. He said the two countries would be more frank with each other in the future.

"Every bilateral relationship, especially one as close as with Afghanistan, experiences ups and downs," Karl Eikenberry, the U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, said this week.

Last year, Eikenberry had doubted Karzai's viability as a partner to the United States in a message to Washington that was leaked in the media.

But at the start of Karzai's visit Monday, he said the United States and Afghanistan are "able to work our way through difficulties and come back together. I think we're going to emerge an even better alliance."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose similar language to describe the strained relationship.

"The ability to disagree on issues of importance … is not an obstacle to achieving our shared objectives," Clinton said Tuesday. "Rather, it reflects a level of trust that is essential to any meaningful dialogue and enduring strategic partnership."

Tensions had escalated surrounding Obama's visit to Kabul in late March. U.S. officials criticized that the Karzai government wasn't doing enough to fight corruption; Karzai bristled at what he saw as U.S. attempts to undercut his authority.

Numerous photo opportunities in Washington, however, were meant to convey an image of strong ties. Obama and Karzai had a news conference in the East Room of the White House and Clinton, who already appeared with the Afghan president at the State Department, was to meet again with Karzai before he leaves Washington.

Experts say the visit served its purpose.

"These meetings are aimed at setting a new tone after what has been a difficult spring for U.S.-Afghan relations," said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a liberal Washington think tank.

Part of that was Karzai's acknowledgment of U.S. sacrifices made in his country. On Thursday, the Afghan president paid his respects to the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. He was accompanied by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal and U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on his walk along the graves of U.S. service members that died in the country's wars, including in Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, Karzai visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center to speak with wounded military personnel. He said seeing young soldiers who had lost limbs in the war was "heart-rending."

The United States is trying to reduce civilian casualties in Afghanistan, Obama said. "When there is a civilian casualty, that is not just a political problem for me." He stressed that U.S. troops are often taking risks to avoid civilian deaths.

Obama warned that fighting would increase -- the United States is leading a campaign for Kandahar, Afghanistan's second largest city -- but reiterated his plan to begin withdrawing troops by summer 2011.

Despite this timeline, the road ahead remains unclear. A report by Katulis's Center for American Progress, criticized the Obama administration for lacking a clear vision of a post-war Afghanistan. When strengthening the Afghan state had been a lower priority at first, it has now become one of the central aims of U.S. strategy -- without a distinct vision on how to achieve that, the report said.

"We don't have a clear idea on the metrics of how we measure progress," Katulis said.

The report also criticizes the heavy focus on a military approach. Both Obama and Clinton pointed to the increase of civilians on the ground in Afghanistan but the U.S. presence remains heavily tilted in favor of the military. By this summer, roughly 100,000 troops will be in Afghanistan, compared with about 1,000 civilian experts.

One of the issues remaining to be resolved is how to integrate Taliban foot soldiers back into Afghan society. Karzai said at the news conference with Obama that thousands of low-level Taliban could be persuaded to lay down their arms and support the Afghan government. But popular support for the Afghan government prevails in only a small number of key provinces, a recent report on progress in the country compiled by the Pentagon indicated.

Despite the positive tone the two countries struck this week, Obama was candid about the challenges. "There are many difficult days ahead in Afghanistan, Obama said.

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