re: crazy how in the mid 70's these hotspots were on the verge of becoming fully westernized

Upside down world. We brought Osama Bin Laden to power supporting him in Afghanistan in the Russian war. They couldn't fix Afg and they are next door. Taliban seem to be some fearless hombres. I hope their interest lie only in Afg and not outside. Hope their main goal is not imperialism in the area. That could be drawn out forever.