In aiming to create a democratic, well-governed state in Afghanistan, the United States chose an extremely difficult candidate for nationhood or nation-building assistance. At its most basic level, a modern nation must be comprised of people, a functioning government, a recognized territory, and an economic base. Even when compared against that modest standard, the case of Afghanistan is problematic. Considering Afghanistan's history, as well as its geography, demographics, tribalism, warlordism, existing political cultural norms, drug trade, crime, and history of ineffective governance and...