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Afghan Tech Minerals — Cure, Curse, Or Hype?

Posted by Soulskill on from the all-of-the-above dept.

Gooseygoose writes "The Pentagon revealed recently that Afghanistan has as much as $1 trillion in mineral wealth, a potential game changer in the ongoing conflict there. Many news outlets have picked up this story, some simply repeating the official talking points, while others raise serious concerns. Is this 'discovery' just hype, or will it truly alter the landscape of the Afghan war? Perhaps more importantly, can this mineral wealth (whether real or illusory) pave the way to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, or is it more likely to drive geopolitical feedback loops that plunge the region further into turmoil?" Relatedly, Marc Ambinder wrote a few days ago in the Atlantic that the US had knowledge of vast mineral deposits in Afghanistan several years ago, giving the recent announcement the appearance of a PR campaign.

3 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Do I have to choose? by 2obvious4u · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It is all three.

    1. Re:Do I have to choose? by spun · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Imperialism, schmerialism. It's a loaded word anyhow. The question is, did anyone over there ask for our help? If not, their problems (and their mineral assets) are none of our concern.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  2. Even if it is true... by TheRedDuke · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why bother spending all that money on infratstructure to extract those resources when you can just continue to profit from poppies and opiate production? God knows there will never cease to be a demand for that.