https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-111shrg55538/html/CHRG-111shrg55538.htm

Here are the objectives in a formal review in 2009. You won’t find any objective that says “destroy the Taliban”. In fact, much of the focus was on Al Queda and it’s support from the Taliban. I’m afraid you are guilty of revisionist history and are ignoring much of what was achieved and only focusing on the recency bias of the post war occupation failures. Al-queda strength and power globally has waned (albeit is on the rise). But the Al-queda in Afghan now have a paltry presence with minimal support… for now.

Nowhere will you find it ever having been listed as an objective to “destroy the Taliban” or any guerrilla or terrorist network. It was always a goal to minimize the organizations power and influence to conduct terrorist activities against western nations. The objectives obviously evolved over the decades. And preventing the Taliban from regaining control was a longer term objects, at which they failed. But I wouldn’t call that a war objective. That was a post war victory (while occupying) objective more than it was a “war objective.”

“Lost the war” is not what happened. They failed to transition the country to a self secured democratic nation. By any measure the “war” part was won handily.

$1.77 billion Gazprom owned skyscraper. One of the tallest structures in the world.