Posted by Bob,

2. We leave and allow whomever is naturally strongest to rise to power. We created an artificial solution, as such will never be legitimate or sustainable. A natural solution must occur, and that will be messy and will not be anything we can or should control. We would then simply be willing to have open relations with whomever prevails as the best way to support our interests there.
Agree with the intent, but I suspect the reality is there will be an Afghan (I suspect that is what you mean by natural) solution. Just because we leave, doesn't mean other State Actors will stop supporting their favorite surrogate. Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to assume the solution to the problems in Afghanistan simply reside in Afghanistan.