And not ridiculous things that are theoretically possible, like the Taliban does a 180 out of nowhere and converts to socialism and the imperialist states do a 180 out of nowhere and decide that a socialist middle east is cool.
I used to think that the best thing that could happen is a Marshall Plan for the Middle East, but now, I'm not so sure that would be good.
Some Afghani opportunists, ghouls, and nepotees* will benefit from resource extraction instead of American opportunists, ghouls, and nepotees. This is marginally better for random Afghanis, to the extent that trickle down economics is better than having your shit stolen.
The violence of a theocratic state against its own citizens is probably better on average than being in an active war zone. This isn't much consolation for the people it views as undesirable.
It does at least signal some very neat things about the US empire's ability to continue doing what it does. Remember that the Trump administration failed to get fresh imperialist wars off the ground several times over (Vuvuzela). The Biden admin hasn't even tried yet, and just lost an imperial holding.
*How is there not already a word for beneficiary of nepotism?
It'd be Nepotes, wouldn't it?
It's whichever spelling, if any, catches on.
Neopets