



This is a double hit. All pretexts are gone, and there is nothing left from the 'war on terror' joke, promoted by the US neocon/neoliberal apparatus, to justify wars and dirty interventions. Donald Trump not only admits cynically the real reason behind the US invasion in Afghanistan, but proves that he is willing to expand the establishment agenda, through the mainstream media.









President Trump, searching for a reason to keep the United States in Afghanistan after 16 years of war, has latched on to a prospect that tantalized previous administrations: Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth, which his advisers and Afghan officials have told him could be profitably extracted by Western companies.





[...]





To explore the possibilities, the White House is considering sending an envoy to Afghanistan to meet with mining officials. Last week, as the White House fell into an increasingly fractious debate over Afghanistan policy, three of Mr. Trump’s senior aides met with a chemical executive, Michael N. Silver, to discuss the potential for extracting rare-earth minerals. Mr. Silver’s firm, American Elements, specializes in these minerals, which are used in a range of high-tech products.





[...]





In 2010, American officials estimated that Afghanistan had untapped mineral deposits worth nearly $1 trillion, an estimate that was widely disputed at the time and has certainly fallen since, given the eroding price of commodities. But the $1 trillion figure is circulating again inside the White House, according to officials, who said it had caught the attention of Mr. Trump. The lure of Afghanistan as a war-torn Klondike is well established: In 2006, the George W. Bush administration conducted aerial surveys of the country to map its mineral resources. Under President Barack Obama, the Pentagon set up a task force to try to build a mining industry in Afghanistan — a challenge that was stymied by rampant corruption, as well as security problems and the lack of roads, bridges or railroads.





[...]





China already has a $3 billion contract to develop a copper mine about 25 miles southeast of the Afghan capital, Kabul. Officials said Mr. Trump was determined not to spend American lives and treasure in Afghanistan only to watch China lock up its rare-earth deposits, which are used to make products from wind turbines to computer chips.













The US empire is not hiding intentions, probably because it knows that fairy tales like 'war on terror' don't work anymore. A cynical billionaire in charge, like Donald Trump, is the perfect puppet to do the job. He plays the 'anti-establishment' guy who has the audacity to tell the truth straight to our faces without problem.





In the era of domination of neoliberal cynicism, ethics don't matter much. Trump will continue to occupy and bomb Afghanistan, just like the previous US warmongers because America goes first and the Chinese must be crushed. It doesn't matter how many more lives it will take.





Indeed, as the geopolitical analyst, Eric Draitser, pointed out two years ago:





First and foremost, China sees in Afghanistan one of the main keys to its entire regional, and indeed global, strategy, from the New Silk Roads to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Sitting in the middle of the strategically critical Central Asia region, Afghanistan represents for China both a bridge to its partner, Pakistan, and the key to the former Soviet Republics of Central Asia. Moreover, it represents a critical node in the potential pipeline networks, as well as trading routes.





Beijing also intends to be a major player in the exploitation of the mineral wealth of Afghanistan. The US Geological Survey has estimated that the mineral wealth of Afghanistan is worth roughly $1 trillion, making it some of the most prized land in the world. Iron, copper, cobalt, gold, lithium, and many other minerals are to be found just underneath the surface of Afghanistan; clearly an enticing prospect for China. Indeed, China has already heavily invested in copper mining concessions among others.





It is in this arena where China and its longtime rival India have come into conflict, as Delhi has also been a major player competing for key mining concessions in Afghanistan, including the vast iron ore deposits. Iran also figures into this question as its port of Chabahar , seen as an important prize for both India and China, is the likely destination for the iron ore extracted from Afghanistan, especially if it is to be shipped to India.





Well, neither China, India, or Iran invaded and bombed Afghanistan. But we guess that this doesn't make too much difference for Washington's hawks and Donald Trump. They want the rich Afghan land only for their corporations, whatever it takes. Even if they have to drown in blood the entire country. And the money of course will go again to the rich bosses, not to the American people who will be left without healthcare in the end.





Recall that, on April 18, 2016, Kadir A. Mohmand sent a letter to the Members of the US Congress, calling them to take actions in order to stop the US war crimes and human rights violations in Afghanistan. He wrote among other things:





The invasion and occupation of Afghanistan is really about the U.S. and NATO having direct access and control over Afghanistan's vast untapped Rare Earth Elements (REEs), which are worth trillions. These REEs are vital to the manufacture of technology and defense systems. The U.S. sent down geologists with special operations forces into the REE deposits of the Helmand region at the start of the invasion. The U.S. even knew about these REEs deposits before the war. I believe control of the REEs is the real reason for the invasion, continued occupation and covert war and genocide against the Afghan villagers.



