Quote by Christopher Hitchens
No possible future government in Kabul can be worse than the Taliban, and no thinkable future government would allow the level of Al Qaeda gangsterism to recur. So the outcome is proportionate and congruent with international principles of self-defense.
Summary
This quote suggests that any potential future government in Kabul would be an improvement compared to the Taliban, and none of them would tolerate the return of Al Qaeda's criminal behavior. Therefore, the actions taken are justified as they align with the principles of self-defense and maintaining international order. The implication is that it is necessary to take action against the Taliban and prevent the resurgence of extremist groups in Afghanistan to ensure a more stable and secure future.