Trump-establishment common agenda confirmed again through cynically admitting the real reason behind the US invasion in Afghanistan!
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.
From NYT:
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.
The US
propaganda officially collapses. The destruction in Iraq, Syria,
Lybia, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, has nothing to do with 'freedom',
or, 'war on terror'. It's all about resources and global domination.
So, keep that in mind next time a US talking head will come with
another routine story about a 'dictator' or an 'authoritarian
regime', in order to pave the way for another invasion.
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