That is a good legitimate question. I wish we had a more clear answer. The first goal was to topple the Taliban. The ultimate goal is to establish a democratic (general style, not specific) government. The inbetween goals have always been hazy at best. The Bush administration dropped the ball on this count and the Obama administration has been just as inept.
But it does seem like we are losing the first goal again. If we want to give the people of Afghanistan freedom (and we have already spent plenty of blood and treasure for that goal), then we need to figure out how to get to the end goal and do it.
I really think that educating the poor people of Afghanistan (especially the girls/women) will go a long ways towards undermining the male dominated Islamic fundamentalist power structure so prevalent in that part of the world. In so doing, our long term goals are realized, i.e. support for a stable democratic government triumphs over Sharia based Islamofascist militarism. By heavily educating their women, we undermine the underlying power structure. These women, once liberated from the various shackles of their oppression, will NOT allow this country to step back into the Sharia mentality. Empowered by their intellect, they will be a force to be reckoned with. We must start with the children and see their education through even if it means bringing them to America and GIVING them free rides to our most prestigious universities. just my opinion of course.