This line near the end. Umm, withdrawing from Afganistan after 20 years is "irrational" and continuing a Forever War occupation of a foreign country is "rational"? I think we have different definitions of rational which has me doubting your entire article. Also, the Taliban were the government before the US invasion, enjoy massive support from the population, and the "Afghan" goverment melted away in a week without a fight after the US withdrew. I think a rational person would say they are the natural government of Afghanistan whether you like them or not.