Irish Examiner View: Too tragic and all too familiar

Taliban asserting control in Afghanistan once again

Taliban fighters take control of Afghan presidential palace after the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday. Picture: Zabi Karimi/AP

The pattern of regime change, especially enforced regime change, is not unfamiliar. 

Apprehension grows as a partner, an invader, an ally, or an opportunist — call the force what you will — announces a retreat as it is no longer prepared to sustain losses in men or treasure exacted without any obvious dividend.