Afghanistan: Afghanistan’s Minerals: A Looted Economic Hope for Stability

Oct 5, 2018 | Gul Maqsood Sabit, Diplomat
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The insurgency in Afghanistan has gained strength and the government’s influence has shrunk despite significant international efforts since 2001 when the world intervened in Afghanistan. Various political, diplomatic, and military approaches have been tried and ample aid has been provided to stabilize the country. However, these efforts have produced few results while entangling the world in an open-ended conflict. To stabilize the country and weaken the insurgency, development partners must address the growing poverty and the government’s inability to financially sustain itself by assisting Afghanistan in managing its vast natural resources. Afghanistan’s resources have been poorly managed and left open for smugglers to loot the country’s wealth while poverty fuels the insurgency. If properly managed, Afghan mineral resources can not only be a stabilizing force but can provide the world with additional resources.