The speech was cool, masterful, presidential and timely, but here's the deal:
On, 06.16.10, 12:38 PM EDT Gordon G. Chang authored this: The Taliban: World's Next Minerals Superpower "This week the U.S. Defense Department revealed that Afghanistan possesses at least $908.9 billion in untapped mineral resources. Iron accounts for $420.9 billion of the total, and copper $274.0 billion.
There is cobalt, gold and molybdenum. The country could become, according to a Pentagon memo, the “Saudi Arabia of lithium.” Just as interesting, there is niobium, used to make superconducting steel. Most significantly, Afghanistan has substantial deposits of rare earth minerals, estimated to be worth $7.4 billion. And why is this so important?
At present, China has a near monopoly over them. It possesses about 36% of world reserves, by far the biggest share for any nation, and accounts for around 97% of global production. Five years ago Beijing substantially tightened export controls on these minerals. At this moment, officials are building a strategic reserve of them."
On April 18th 2012, Forbes contributer Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association wrote this: "American manufacturers are fighting to compete in a global environment that grows more competitive by the day. They can succeed, but only if the game is not rigged against them. China is playing hardball by first monopolizing, then price-gouging on resources manufacturers need to make many tech products." And this: "Over the past 30 years, the United States and the rest of the world have become dependent on imports, many from China, for 19 key minerals. These so-called “rare earth” minerals are used in the integrated circuits found in most computers and smartphones, as well as stereo equipment, radar technologies and missile guidance systems."
Considering Afghanistan has reportedly as much as a trillion USDs in Rare Earth Minerals just waiting for hostilities to cool for easy access, it makes sense for the United States to prolong its commitment in that war torn country.
A deal with the Taliban to extract these valuable minerals could help offset the billions needed to keep the Afghan government from folding. Development of these resources could provide an alternative revenue stream to the drug trade that supplies the region and Europe. On the other hand, Al Jazeera reported: "According to new CENTCOM figures given to Al Jazeera on April 30, there are about 125,000 US troops in close proximity to Iran: 90,000 soldiers in/around Afghanistan on Operation Enduring Freedom; some 20,000 soldiers deployed ashore elsewhere in the Near East region; and a variable 15-20,000 afloat on naval vessels.
View American military bases near Iran in a larger map
"US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said the US would have 40,000 troops in the Gulf following the withdrawal from Iraq. But the exact number, location and mission of these forces beyond Afghanistan is virtually impossible to determine. "We are obliged to respect the stated desires of various host countries, who have asked that we not acknowledge details of any US presence on their sovereign soil," Oscar Seara, public affairs officer at CENTCOM, told Al Jazeera in an email. "Partner-nation sensitivities limit what we are able to say about our military relationships," Seara said, when asked to confirm or deny information about the bases in the map above.
With Iran projected to be a major concern for the foreseeable future, it would make sense to keep a modest, yet potent military presence nearby capable of reacting to any perceived threats.
Since President Obama has shown a proclivity for using faster, smaller, efficient and economical modes of engaging America's foes, few eyebrows will be raised as his "prevent defense" policies will seem cost effective and easier to control. Hence, the slow walk out of Afghanistan is not only forward thinking but its good business.
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