There never was an Afghanistan, just like there never was an Iraq nor a Yugoslavia. These are/were made up countries by western powers trying to set up things to suit themselves. Since "tribal" cultures of long distrust and even hatred refuse to even give living together a try, the only "solution" is an iron brutal tyrant or having everyone try to kill one another until a mess of small culturally distinct nations arises.
We are paying for the crap vested upon us by our "revered ancestors" in the business and politics world. Unfortunately for our own selfish little person interests, we are overburdened economically and some of us even to death or family breakup by a nearly incredible bonehead decision to get us involved heavily in TWO such places where "wars" are unwinnable and interminable.
Our country's only chance for economic healing is to get at least these two elephants off our back, and use what economic wherewithall that we still have to try to dig out of our other serious problems. Get everybody out of there as fast as possible.
That Rare Earths thing will take care of itself. It will not be worth the risk to China to move in, as they already have "theirs". Russia MIGHT want to exploit the resource, but they're more unpopular than we are. Some mining/refining giant will move in with a sweetheart deal with whatever crooks are "in office" at the moment, bring a powerful company police force in for stability, and just kill all intruders like they do around the Zambian and Southern Zaire chromium and copper mining areas.
Then we Americans will be able to not notice any of this as our media looks at the next singing hit, computer game toy, or gossip scandal, instead of world affairs, and we can enjoy our next burger in peace.
This reminds me of the commercial where some fool is given some money to invest in something substantial or chicken wings.
My version: Hey, this guy just gave me this ticket that I can use to provide hundreds of people water and food for Christmas or buy barbequed wings.
I'm thinkin' wings!!!.
None of the above diminishes my affection for you guys [and gals] who served loyally in these affairs. You did your duty as true soldiers and God Bless you for shouldering such an awful task.
