According to Mr. Roggio, “contested” districts are those where the Afghan government controls the district center but the Taliban control large areas outside of the district center. “Control” means the Taliban are openly administering a district. Taliban control has fluctuated over the past 14 years. The Taliban government collapsed after the American invasion, but the group regained control of multiple districts between 2005 and 2009, Mr. Roggio said. They withdrew from these areas after the temporary surge of American troops at the beginning of President Obama’s administration, but they have been reclaiming territory since 2013.