Why are we still in Afghanistan?

Why are "we" in Afghanistan, still?

Can you say "The Great Game?"

Whatever else anyone says, the reasons 'we' are still in Afghanistan are, first, because "we" are maneuvering to isolate Iran between USer forces in Iraq on the west and in Baghram, on the east, and Murka's animus against Iran will not be satd until "we" shed a bunch of Iranian blood; and

2) because it's the closest 'failed state' to the Caspian basin from which USer tactical aircraft--indisputably the best in the world--can "project influence in the region," as the Generals and pols say; that is to say, to keep the region's resources under USer bomb- and gunsights...Look at a map...