If a nation ignores history, it is bound to repeat it. Although there have been several conquerors of Afganistan, none have been able to proceed to civilizing or changing the minds or the lives of Afgans.
We were right to invade and kill as many Taliban as possible, but when that task was completed as much as practically possible, it was time to leave Afganistan to be itself, with the stern caviot that we would not tolerate any other outside force or group to infiltrate the power vacuum we left.
With our blood and treasure we have shown them a better way. Now, let the damn Afgans be Afgans, if their choice is to live in the 8th Century, so be it. If they try to growm opium, Agent Orange the poppy fields.
“...if their choice is to live in the 8th Century, so be it.”
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the root of the problem. You cannot force a feudal society of tribes and warlords who practice a vile, hateful religion and considers the rape of young boys as perfectly acceptable to live in the modern world if THEY DON’T WANT TO!
They enjoy being ignorant and perverse and THEY WILL NEVER CHANGE BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TELLS THEM TO.
This is a fight to the death and thanks to our poor leadership, they are winning.