Are the mujahedin "freedom fighters" or "extremists"?

Considering the recent death of Rep. Charlie Wilson, I thought it might be an interesting time to raise this question. When the US gave tens of millions of dollars in weapons to the mujahedin fighters in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, we viewed them as brave soldiers fighting for their freedom from an oppressive power. Even now, many people hold that view. However, when we refer to the current wave of mujahedin in Afghanistan that is fighting the US and its allies, we usually say they are "extremists." When the mujahedin stood up to the Soviets, they fought with the belief that they were doing God's work in liberating their country. The current mujahedin feel the same way. What, exactly, is different?