Afghanistan did not fit into the mental maps and ideological constructs of the [insert Country] leaders. Their analysis of internal social processes in Afghanistan was done through the conceptual lens of [insert doctrine], which blinded the leadership to the realities of traditional tribal society. Believing that there was no single country in the world, which was not ripe for [insert ‘ism’], party ideologues like [insert Republicans here] saw Afghanistan as a ‘second [insert colony].’ Such conceptualization of the situation led to the attempts to impose alien social and economic practices on Afghan society, such as the forced land reform.
So many mental lapses, so little time. You’ve by now guessed that the above graph is part of the introduction to The Soviet Experience in Afghanistan: Russian Documents and Memoirs, (Savranskaya, Editor, 2001). The principal difference between the two efforts to ‘provide peace and stability’ is only the separation of time.
Well, that, and an overweening civilian leadership devoid of leaders.