<". . . [F]our factors contributed to the British disaster: the occupation of Afghan territory by foreign troops, the placing of an unpopular emir on the throne, the harsh acts of the British-supported Afghans against their local enemies, and the reduction of the subsidies paid to the tribal chiefs by British political agents."

Thanks for the historical precis, Ed.

What you have quoted is, as I recall from studying Indian history, correct.

What lessons can the US derive from these four factors?

1) Don't occupy Afghanistan.
2) If the US must install a puppet government, make sure it's someone who would have a snowball's chance in hell of getting elected on his own merits in a stable Afghanistan, and not merely someone our State Dept approves of.
3) Don't take sides in local quarrels because the local boys don't play nice and we'll look like the mob boss behind the leg-breakers.
4) Keep the bribes coming to support tribal leaders in the style to which they would like to become accustomed.

In soundbite form: "Yankee Go Home, Send Cash".

Regards--
Mary Anne