Moscow ? Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is joining international talks on Iran’s nuclear program as the world awaits Tehran’s response to a U.S. offer to bargain with the country’s clerical rulers.

Rice flew to the Russian capital on Wednesday after a quick and heavily guarded visit to Afghanistan, where she said that newly democratic nation has come too far to fall back into terrorism and anarchy.

“Yes, Afghanistan has determined enemies and they are ruthless,” Rice said following a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. “They will not succeed in undermining or rolling back the democratic gains of the Afghan people,” Rice said.

She also said the United States is committed to Afghanistan for the long haul. “We are not going to tire, we are not going to leave,” she said.

During a 90-minute meeting, Rice told Karzai that the administration was considering a boost in reconstruction funding. The additional money would be accompanied by a shift from big nationwide projects such as roads to smaller community projects.