Under Reagan while helping them fight the soviets, was there ever any talk like there is now of helping them set up a goverment?
My understanding is that there were no promises of any sort made. We helped them against the soviets and, when the soviets went home, just left the Afghanis standing in the rubble.
In retrospect, maybe this wasn’t the best choice.
Anyhow, in the shattered remains of Afghanistan various tribes, coalitions, and petty warlord then proceeded to battle it out for control of the country. The Taliban were the winners.