[chrift]

I'm confused - are you saying that Afghanistan triumphed?

[Redoubts]

It's certainly not a win for the US there.

[lostlogin]

Or for the people there. Is it possible that all sides lost?

[throwaway_law]

The democratically elected leader was over thrown by the Communist party and the Soviets invaded to support the illegitimate communist government.

The US supported the anti-communist opposition, and the Soviets withdrew and Afghanistan returned to democratic elections.

Like all things politics, its all how you spin it. Perhaps the real loss was what happened after the US spent over $1T to spread democracy in Afghanistan, they began electing the Taliban as their democratic leaders, and we ultimately went to war against the Taliban costing even more. That firmly established the US believes in democracy so long as we also support the party that wins the elections.

[ptero]

I think the point is that the US military with vastly superior firepower, organization and funding failed to conquer (i.e., control) the country.

[barsonme]

Did we win Afghanistan? Did we win Vietnam?

[throwaway_law]

>Did we win Afghanistan?

The Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan and the illegitimate communist government was ousted right?