Some years ago I read a book called "Butcher and Bolt" by David Loyn which described the experience of the British in their attempts to subdue Afghanistan in the Nineteenth Century when Great Brirain was the most powerful nation on earth. They all ended in failure. On more than one occassion the British installed a king in Kabul who they thought would be amenable to their interests. These kings were overthrown by Afghan insurgents and those that survived were able to spend the rest of their lives living in comfort in India at the British taxpayers' expense.
Isn't it amazing how history repeats itself?
Mods please note that this post is not political , it's a historical comparison to recent events.