Trump's Afghan policy is really annoying because he waffles so much. Just last year we were burning time, money, and lives in Afghanistan because we absolutely would not accept a peace deal with the Taliban at the table. This year, I saw multiple military talking heads go on Fox news and lie that there was no peace in Afghanistan because the Taliban wouldn't come to the table and form a joint government. Now we are up and leaving without having brokered any peace because Trump is feeling insecure about his unfulfilled campaign promises and compensating. Taliban forces will basically overrun the government or simply starve them off by attrition. I don't know enough about Afghanistan but won't Pakistan and Iran fight over influence in the region? Won't China see an opening in pursuing development of Afghan resources and tap into that trillion dollars worth of gas and minerals? Big L for the American empire, as Vidal would say.
Afghanistan wasn't stabilized by the US in 17 years and it won't be in 30.
American and UK troops patrol poppy fields and have to turn a blind eye as village elders rape little boys. The tragedy of Afghanistan has been well documented.
The Taliban was and is never going to negotiate. Entire provinces have more or less already fallen under their control. The US should have left there years ago.
What is the goal or achievement in Afghanistan? No one knows and generals and commanders have come and gone each promising a 'victory'.
The US is already fighting teenagers who weren't even born when 9/11 happened. And soon enough the US has to send their own soldiers who weren't even born when 9/11 happened to fight the war.
Sure, let China pursue it. Just watch them get stuck in the same quackmire. The Afghans won't allow the Chinese to extort their country like they handled countries in Africa.
As a 'super power' you should stay clear of Afghanistan.
