When the Soviet Union got bogged down in Afghanistan, it was called Russia’s Vietnam. After the local forces beat them, in 2001 we came in. And again despite massive treasure and blood, we can’t win. So says noted Afghan adviser to the White House and British Parliament, Nasir Shansab, author of a new book on the subject called Silent Trees. Everything has gotten worse since the US invaded: corruption, opium, and despair. And like Vietnam, the government and constitution are a tragic joke.