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Yeah. Hindsight. I was 100% behind nation building/rebuilding in the foresight department. And I still think we need to continue that direction now that we are on that path.

But -- I don't get the part about "but your entire country ... will simply cease to exist."

Words and names have meaning and symbolic power all their own.

There are still countries named Afghanistan and Iraq. They still have the same physical territories and peoples. The Taliban will alway be a part of Afghan history books, Saddam Hussein will always be a part of Iraqi history books.

When those countries are replaced by new countries with people regarding themselves as something other than Afghanis or Iraqis the defeat of the Taliban and Saddam will be complete.

Nothing in this prevents Kurdistan, Sunnistan, and Shiiastan from continuing to act as Roach Hotels for jihadist, each fighting against those who just aren't Islamist enough.

Nice guy that I am, I'm even willing to arm all sides and keep them stirred up until they break their own and each other's wills to fight.