Respectfully, I question the veracity of your comment. "Assumptions" is all that is left. Our government is, and, has been, in turmoil for many years and over several changes in party control. It seems our "unity" is all but destroyed. Arguments, rather than logical debate, taken to the extreme for the stupidest of reasons has made decision making impossible. Firm policy creation is all but non-existent, changing with the winds of political non-consensus. The very reason this horror is happening in Afghanistan is because of our lack of political unity for decades. This hateful, divisive, vindictive political disease has permeated our body politic down to the local levels. Sadly, I see our destruction, either because of our weakened state taken advantage of by outside belligerent powers, or from within by our own ignorant, willful people. Too many powerful influences affecting government now. Government cannot rationalize anymore. So nothing rational can come from it.