“The ghosts of Alexander the Great, the British Empire, and the Soviet Union say we lose.”
The stated goal/interest of the US is to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a terrorist base, not conquest. Once the Taliban were toppled, we should have withdrawn and let the Northern Alliance take care of things backed by the CIA, special forces, etc. The US used to know how to install “our” dictators in 3rd world countries and keep them there. It still befuddles me why President Bush didn’t do this.
We lost the moment we decided to stay.
Good points all. Regards.