The case of Afghanistan is even more curious. Here, the US had invested a few billion dollars in support of the war effort against Soviet occupation, but lost all interest in the country once the Soviet armies had withdrawn. This led not only to prolonged and bloody civil conflict, but it also consolidated Pakistan’s influence in the country. Pakistan could now sponsor and sustain the military and political successes of the Taliban, and provide a congenial home for the US’s arch-enemy – the Al Qaeda – from where it could attack US targets, culminating with the 9/11 attacks. Later, Pakistan’s
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