Actually, that makes some sense, at least in the context of American policy as Bush is conducting it. All of Afghanistan was united against Russia during the Russian occupation. After we occupied Afghanistan, the Afghanis were still so mad at the Russians they didn't even want to accept *humanitarian aid* from Russia. Bush probably figured, with good reason, that if Russia became involved there, it might become impossible to get the support of any non-Taliban Afghanis against the Taliban.
Now, if you want to argue that instead of trying to salvage Afghanistan and Iraq, we should have simply obliterated them (with Russian help, even), all I can say is, history may prove you right. I hope not, but Rome was never able to obtain peace with Carthage by any means other than wiping them out. I'm not so sure we're in any different situation with these Islamikazis - and the Russians have a longer history of dealing with them than we do, and may therefore have a better idea of how to go about it...
All Afghanistan except the northern alliance whom it is Russia who supplied and allied to Mosud. Russian hospital still there.
Very good points...thanks for the post.