Can't believe I only just now found this thread. It is a really, really good read. I don't have anything to contribute myself, but I wanted to quote this portion of a previous post, if only for posterity:
I asked him why, despite abuse and atrocities such as the recent marketplace bombing, the Taliban enjoy enough active or passive support to resist the incredible might of the US military. He didn't even pause for a second, but just answered directly: "Because men don't have jobs."

Military-age males, pissed and ashamed that they can't provide for a family, eventually say Screw It, resign themselves to the only game in town, and help the Taliban because they need money.
It's very frustrating to see this core issue be not just ignored, but completely denied, so frequently.