I'd have to agree with your analogy
But I don't think we've already pulled out of Afganistan and made the assumption that there is nothing left for us to do there...
It will be a long time before US special forces are not guarding the Afgan leadership against assassination.
Lets not forget, this is still a Transitional Government. The Long Term Government has yet to be set up. There will be victories and apparent defeats along the way; however, it might just end up that Afganistan takes on the role of a peaceful and democratic regional leader.
Lets hope it comes to that. But your right Mary Anne, it isn't going to happen overnight.
Scott
