Afghanistan has long been a quagmire. Power has historically been decentralised, with different regions and groups asserting influence at different times. At some points, areas like Mazar-i-Sharif or Panjshir have aligned, while other regions like Herat or Kandahar have followed their own paths. Kabul has often been a focal point of authority, but not always a decisive one.
Like a pack of wolves (wetsern connotation), Afghans attack an outsider, and later everyone keeps fighting to be the Alpha to control the pack. Like wolves, they need spanking, herding and hierarchy to behave rationally. Unless they grow out of it to become a coherent society.
No one can control Afghanistan, even the Afghans themselves. The man is product of its environment. Afghanistan's geography dictates that it cannot be controlled by a center.
75% of the country is mountainous, and urban centers are far away from each other. Each center has its own ethnicity, group and militia.
