“There is such a temptation, both in the American military leadership and in the intelligence community, there are a lot of people who were openly against the withdrawal of troops and were ready to remain in Afghanistan for another ten or two years.
For a number of reasons ... purely selfish, not state interests.
But in this already new situation, it seems to me doubtful that they will return, the realization still, apparently, came that this is not only a lost war, that it cannot be won, ”he said.
Kabulov added that "any attempt to repeat the previous mistake will cost them much more."
He also said that Moscow fears that Western pressure on the Taliban * may lead to its radicalization.
* "Taliban" - the organization was recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003.