It's also frustrating to realize -- without trying to heap all the blame on one person -- the failings or weaknesses of President Hamid Karzai have limited what can be achieved in the country.

CNN: Luxury hotel symbolizes Afghan fragility

"As a player, everyone wants to play all the time and, when you don't, it's frustrating, " he said.

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It's frustrating that the window of opportunity that was there at the beginning was missed -- when all the Afghans wanted was weapons and warlords to be removed and disarmed so that they could have a normal life.

CNN: Luxury hotel symbolizes Afghan fragility