When does America Leave Afghanistan?

Which conquering army has captured and maintained control of Afghanistan? Alexander the Great was unsuccessful, The Soviet Union failed and America and NATO falter in the same quagmire. Why do armies try? There are little resources to justify the adventures as lapis lazuli and poppy plants do not offer the potential for great economic gain as oil or gold. The benefits to a conquering army are not realized in great wealth or great profit for big business. McDonald's and modern technology simply do not offer sufficient wealth and growth potential to justify military pursuit. Certainly the search for one man can not be reason enough to risk human life and the expenditures of vast amounts to support military endeavours.

What is the reason for America's reluctance to leave Afghanistan? Does the departure from Afghanistan hinder access to a gateway to the East and reduce a buffer zone that hinders Eastern influence into the West? The Taliban are not reason enough to continue in a war that can not be won. If there is a point to the war I would like to know what it is. As there has been little American/NATO success as even the death of bin Laden who was found in Pakistan can not be attributed to the war, the purpose escapes me. If the war is instead a misguided U.S. military attempt to crusade and spread the evangelical word designed to instigate  closer to the 'final battle' it is ill conceived. If so, the 'vast military complex' has grown too large, has too much political  and media power.

That the war continues on, seemingly into eternity, at great human, financial and political costs is baffling. The threats posed by the Taliban and linked 'terror' movements does not justify continuing. Perhaps the American military was bored, had lots of new toys to play with and needed a place to experiment with and improve their technologies. If that were the case they would be advised to return to the drafting tables because as yet smart bombs, drones, advanced surveillance and secret advancements have done little to secure victory. Maybe Afghanistan is the real life testing ground for military advancements and as such must continue. If the brass needs this war to justify the swollen Pentagon budget and to make contractors richer it still can not be justified.