Unlike Iraq Afghanistan is surrounded by powerful regional and global players. China,Russia , Pakistan and Iran and Uncle Sam knows the consequences. China,Russia and Pakistan are going to recognize Taliban government and using drones against such a government means inviting a strong response from Russia and china. Chinese are definitely going to invest in afghanistan and to protect their investment they will go to any extent.
If after staying in afghanistan and spending trillions of dollars this is the result then what difference would a distant drone coverage will make. Pakistan refused to give them any base and other than pakistan no other country will allow them a drone base.