Russia Ukraine war, page-144

Obtaining information is just the first step. Using it effectively and in the presence of arrogant, "do as I say" politicians is where it all goes to Hell.

To do well at this requires high intelligence, extremely broad knowledge, the ability to read others and a preferece for collaboration over competition. Nobody has all the required skills and knowledge thus an overriding need to to pick the right people to listen to..

Biden is old but he does listen to advice. Afghanistan advice arriving on Trump's desk and Biden's desk was poor so some Pentagon heads certainly should have rolled. US Allies were asleep at the wheel also.

Afghanistan creates ongoing risk to its neighbours, Russia and China. Maybe a collaborative approach with a bigger carrot and a smaller stick may have worked.

You need to read the last 2000 years of Afghan history to even start to understand the psyche of politics and culture there. Those who should have analysed the ongoing situation sadly did a bad job at it or were otherwise disinterested. They couldn't be bothered to learn.