Afghanistan constitutes George W. Bush's clearest victory since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The Taliban regime has been overthrown, eliminating al-Qaida's most important base."
Afghanistan has a new Constitution in place, a representative democracy in place, scheduled elections, and its American-trained *domestic* Army now numbers some 17,000...with 13,000 more scheduled to complete their training by the end of Summer (a force that is *more* than a match for any Taliban remnants who may still harbor delusions of granduer).
Even the old lefty propaganda of Afghanistan only being secure in Kabul has been roundly discredited. Afghan's own forces freely patrol every square mile of that country, with only minor skirmishes reported in the most remote of regions.
More hospitals, schools, and electricity are available to Afghans now that at any other time in their history.
Oh yeah, some "bleak picture."