Iraq has a chance at civilization. Afghanistan was, is, and will remain a stone age toilet.
Just make that “stone age.” It’s the toilet part they can’t handle. With 90 % illiteracy (or was it in-bred illegitamacy?) these people can’t handle flush terlets. They can’t make ‘em and they can’t use ‘em. Try to buy toilet paper in Afganyland. Without an effort at education all the rest is futile and while I agree with the GI’s that their effort/sacrifice shouldn’t be wasted the support has to come from DC and that’s where the “waste” is.
They have an opportunity to join civilization by exploiting their mineral wealth. A few mining colleges would probably do a lot of good.
Lithium is one of the key elements available there, but also rare earth elements. Of course their major source right now is Communist China, so expect continued support for the Taliban to prevent this.
Perhaps there can be a win-win. Captured Taliban get to work as slave laborers in the lithium salt mines!