An interesting take on Afghanistan

[Amishman]

3. The problem there is a cultural embrace of a backwards fundamentalist religion

I'll preface this with saying Islam itself is NOT the problem, but rather the anachronistic and oppressive variant of it embraced by the Taliban and imposed on everyone else.

Modernization and nation building attempts there are doomed until the culture changes. In a way it is similar to deep red areas in the US, irreconcilable cultural differences.

The best way to change the culture is through education - particularly teaching science and advanced practical skills. Someone who is stuck in a rut focused on day to day existence will be more likely to cling to simple answers and dogma. Once someone has bought into those ideologies, it is usually for a lifetime. This is something that will take generations