Afganistan was stable and free of war (mostly) when the US invaded. Even the poppy export had been repressed. Have the Afgans been made better of by another 20

Afganistan was stable and free of war (mostly) when the US invaded. Even the poppy export had been repressed. Have the Afgans been made better of by another 20 years of constant war, would they have better of by fighting a continues war for then next 50 years? The Taliban were winning, that is why the US was driven out. Because it was clear the US was leaving the Taliban were willing to wait. The reality is the US would have to defend the country for many decades. Spend huge amount of money against the will of the waste majority of Americans on propping up a group of warlords who are often as bad the Taliban (and some of them were worse). The Afgan government was the most corrupt in the world. The whole economy was a based on US military presence and aid, plus selling of poppy. A country far, far more depended on exporting poppy even then Colombia at the peak of the 'Narco State'. The money going to the army subsidies officers, equipment stolen and sold, often to the Taliban. Local officials pocketing funds for local administration. Most woman in Afghanistan still lived according tradition, and laws in most of the country continued to be sharia based. Some studies even found that courts in government areas were stricter. How do you avoid the 'we are ruling them for their own good'. Should British have stayed in India? All imperialist claim their rule was 'civilizing' the country. Can Afghans never rule themselves? What about other nations who have those kinds of laws? Should the US occupy all of the Middle East and Central Asia in a Pro Womans right campaign? What about Indonesia? Should the US rule those 100s of millions as well?