The United States has pledged an estimated 10 billion dollars to rebuild Afghanistan as the leaders of more than 65 countries and representatives from the UN met in Paris to discuss the war-torn country. Germany pledged over 420 million euros for the coming two years, while Japan and France almost doubled their contribution. The total of the pledged money fell short of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s target. He wanted almost 50 billion dollars in aid for tackling poverty and insurgency and towards long-term reconstruction.