why would US care about friendly government or some pipeline?. unfriendly government in Tehran does not prevent US from extracting talent from there or shadow boxing. All US has done is to bring Afghanistan that is much useful for Gulf Arabs. Gulf Arabs have now the skills and the Wealth to radiate there influence over the region. and this is not some thing new since you dont know much of real history let me give you some glimpse. The picture you see it is Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. The future King of Saudi is that Arab standing behind Japanese crown prince in first row. he was supposed to stand in front of him but than it will block the smaller person view. that courtesy was extended to Japanese because Japanese teams were visiting them before WWII and they were well received and there is reason for that you need to figure out.US came and left but:
Those were the top goals of the invasion. That constitutes a defeat.
- could not capture OBL
- could not build Enron's pipeline
- could not dismantle Taliban
- could not contain China
- could not establish a friendly government