Like the dust bowl of Iraq, Afghanistan is a raggy piece of desert filled with high mountains. So why all the fuss about it? Here's one theory that I'll pass along. If Iraq courted interest for its oil, Afghanistan has another resource in abundance - opium. And the US wants to either profit from the sales of this resource, or prevent it from being sold, or both.
On the other hand, Afghanistan is situated in a startegically important area: it borders the following countires - China, Iran, Pakistan and Kashmir (Northern India). Afghanistan is a weak country, ideal for warlords and bandits or for would-be Empires seeking to extend their powers. It is here that China, Russia, India and the Middle East will probably begin to nudge US/NATO forces first. Of course having US bases right beside Iran, Pakistan and China is also very convenient.
BRUSSELS – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden urged NATO members to jointly confront al-Qaida and other extremist groups in Afghanistan where he said instability threatens all of the alliance's members equally.
Appearing before NATO's top decision making body, Biden solicited ideas to reverse a losing military strategy in Afghanistan as part of President Barack Obama's policy to bring more European allies on board to fight the Taliban-led insurgency.
He warned the situation in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan was worsening, adding, "The deteriorating situation in the region poses a security threat from our respect not just to the United States, but to every single nation around this table."
"It was from that remote area of the world that al-Qaida plotted 9/11 and subsequent attacks" in Europe and elsewhere.
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