That is the price of FREEDOM and always has been.
Wishing it weren't so won't change the facts that tyrannical regimes and terrorist groups will always target a world superpower in the way of their ambitions.
BTW, in 17 years in Afghanistan, we've lost less lives than in one terrorist attack on 9/11.
Are you suggesting that a government engaged in decades-long military campaigns in sh!t-holes halfway around the world, while maintaining open borders and a veritable police surveillance state here at home, actually has any interest in protecting the freedom of its citizens at all?