rationalizations about why this isn't the right time. He had argued unsuccessfully during the Obama administration to NOT expand our presence in Afghanistan. Trump had the agreement in place. He took the opportunity. It took guts. There was going to be blow-back no matter what.

Also you're correct that we didn't invade Afghanistan with imperialist intention. If we had gotten bin Laden and gotten out, it would have been successful. But it absolutely sure as hell turned into that, with huge dollars going to contractors and local officials to prop up that farce, not to mention dead Americans and Afghanis. This is what comes of empire-building, as the saying goes.