What the USA should have done at the time (2002) was PAID the Russian army (who needed the money desperately at the time) to go into Afghanistan and clean up. Bring us bin Landen’s head, no media, no questions, just make it happen. Straight down mercinaries.
We should have not cared if Afghanistan became a Russian satelite. It would have tunred out better for them, and for us.
George W. Bush missed so many unique opportunities. Right after 9/11 the entire West was on our side. A grand alliance against radical Islam could have been done, easily. And some sort of deal with Russia could have been worked out.
9/11 was, of course, an attack on the United States. Bush could have invoked the NATO defensive clause. Many people expected that. But no. Bush evidently wanted all the glory for himself.
Not only did Bush turn Afghanistan into another Vietnam, he went and invaded another country that had nothing to do with 9/11. It would be as if FDR decided to invade Russia right after Pearl Harbor.
(Sorry for the rant.)
Interesting, i remember making that assessment many years ago to a roomful of Generals who were horrified, and dismissive