>A bear met a hunter in the woods. Before you shoot me, said the bear, can we talk, and reach some compromise? I need a fur coat, said the hunter. I'm looking for a meal, and I know a way we can both reach our goals, said the bear. The hunter got his fur coat, and the bear got his meal.
>
>Enjoy your fur coat.

Seems your government went for some form of compromise in Afghanistan in the 1980's, supporting the Taliban (including training Bin Laden) rather than see a Communist supported government in power. I guess you could swap USA for hunter, Taliban for bear & fall of Communism for fur coat, in your little story.

(BTW. All sorts of compromises were made after the 2nd World War involving the people you were fighting against because they were seen to be of value to you & us, especially the scientists & industrialists.)