GeorgeS, the Pentagon probably did a descent job of establishing an Afghanistan military force but for too many years there was a political indifference to Afghanistan culminating in the Trump (pretty much) surrender to the Taliban (You're welcome to to the country as long as you don't shoot us on our way out). Once that happened then understandably no one was prepared to fight (nothing to do with ability or lack of courage). Biden had an opportunity to change the projection but was of no mind to. Biden could never be accused of being a great thinker.