changing Afghan society in a direction most Afghans aren't down with
Is that really so? Before the Russia invasion, Afghanistan was a relaxed country that attracted hippies. I have also yet to meet an Afghan in the West who would be against women working in robotics.
You might find this of interest if you weren't aware of it: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/weekinreview/18bumiller.ht...