In "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq," Stephen Kinzer discusses the importance of proactive measures in nation-building, suggesting that investing resources and efforts in prevention can save much more in terms of military interventions later on. He highlights examples from modern Afghan history where neglected governance and societal issues led to entrenched conflicts, ultimately requiring substantial military involvement to address the aftermath.

Kinzer argues that understanding the complexities of nation-building and addressing underlying problems early on can avoid costly military operations. His insights stress that the lessons from Afghanistan serve as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for strategic foresight in foreign policy to foster stability and peace instead of reactive military engagement.