The men in these governments (societies) and religious cultists are barbaric…that is a given. What American governments under any president and administration can only be temporarily effective. In Afghanistan (Iraq or Iran) the US occupied and built support for a western style democracy along with the values associated with such. Once the ‘muscle’ has left, the men and women on the ground have to stand firm.
Sadly, they would not.
Cowards?
They will be judged in the hereafter ( if one exists). .