Unwise to settle for mediocrity; it can lead to things.

"Did the Afghan Failure Lead to the Ukraine War?" by Carl Bildt - Project Syndicate

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/afghanistan-us-failure-set-stage-for-russia-invasion-ukraine-by-carl-bildt-2022-08

"The Kremlin certainly took note. Shortly after the Taliban’s takeover, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s national-security adviser noted publicly that the Ukrainians could not rely on the US to stick around for the long term. Within weeks of the fall of Kabul, Russian troop trains and tank transports had begun their massive move toward the Ukrainian border. As one war ended, another began."  

~ C. Bildt