The U.S. did spend sort of a lot of money in attempts to develop infrastructure and industry in Afghanistan. But it mostly achieved nothing because of the widespread corruption (both of Americans and afghans) and lack of an overall plan that made any sense (as you noted).
There are probably something like hundreds of these reports, all with similar conclusions - spent a ton of money, didn’t really achieve anything meaningful, made some crooks richer, and the taliban either a profits from what little was achieved (for “protection services” and such) or just blows it up.
We can dream that this could have been better, but I’m unconvinced that the US in the 21st century is capable of achieving any different outcome.
Here’s a report on what $500 million to develop mining achieved: https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/audits/SIGAR-16-11-AR.pdf
There are probably something like hundreds of these reports, all with similar conclusions - spent a ton of money, didn’t really achieve anything meaningful, made some crooks richer, and the taliban either a profits from what little was achieved (for “protection services” and such) or just blows it up.
We can dream that this could have been better, but I’m unconvinced that the US in the 21st century is capable of achieving any different outcome.