The U.S. offered up evidence to NATO allies and there was a consensus amongst the allied nations that there was sufficient evidence. The Taliban offered to try Bin Laden under Islamic law if the United States offered up evidence to them, which was an unacceptable parameter. I'm sure the other caveat being that they believed the evidence was sufficient. Which, given the fact that the Taliban consists of radical ideologues with long-held anti-western sentiments, would happen when hell froze over. As I said, the decision to attack was correct. The decision to stay for as long as we did was not.

When people say that the Afghans have been fighting Americans for 20 years, they are highlighting the biggest problem. People residing within Afghanistan do not have a strong national identity like those in the United States. Their primary identity is tribal, which was a large part of why it was difficult to set up a national army and to instill a national identity. I'm sure some people did not like the U.S. presence. However, I don't think it was a net negative in some respects. I'm sure the many women that got to have an education and build careers didn't mind as much. And, given the desire for a mass exodus, I'd say that many understand the appeal of western values rather than the return to dark ages with the Taliban's rule.