In the 18 years since the U.S. began the war in Afghanistan, taxpayers have shelled out upwards of $133 billion, and more than 2,300 American servicemembers have died there

All for that poppy, which is 90% grown in Afghanistan. Used to make all the opioids used in the US by pharma companies. This graph says it all: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/136E5/production/_106598597_afghan_opium_chart-nc.png

As soon as the Taliban banned poppy growing, the US invaded Afghanistan. This is the world we live in.