"In the [1980s former U.S.S.R.] society as a whole, the population slowly and inexorably applied the brakes; when this was combined with a certain lack of will on the part of the ruling elites, power tended to erode. Even repression probably ceased to work as effectively. This itself could be attributed to an aspect of caste or class struggle as well, probably aggravated by the war in Afghanistan and the concomitant growth in counter-culture movements agains the war and for nuclear disarmament, ecological justice, free expression, democracy, and cultural autonomy (including nationalistic independence movements). Many Westerners commented on the resemblance of 1980s movements in the U.S.S.R. to 1960s movements in the U.S. The breakdown of authority was partly, at least, both a consequence and a cause of the Soviet Union's 'Afghanistan Syndrome.'"

--David Watson, "The Fall of Communism & the Triumph of Capitalism," from _Against the Megamachine_ (Autonomedia: Brooklyn, NY)

The problem is that, unfortunately, the US doesn't have an
opposing force to wear it down now, like the Soviets did
in Afghanistan.

Could China play the US to the US's Russia in Afghanistan?
The trouble is, US rulers are all-too-aware of the lessons of
Afghanistan that the Soviets learned the hard way. If they
have any kind of historical sense, which some of
them do, they're not likely to fall for the same trap.

yes, this is true...but we can always dream.