Asia

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Today in the News US President Obama said progress was sufficient to permit a "responsible reduction" of US forces to begin in July.

I'd like to ask what progress? Afghanistan still is by far the worlds largest producer of opium and has the 2nd most corrupt government in the world. Transparency International rates only one country, Somalia, as worse.

The cornerstone of the coalition strategy in Afghanistan calls for the Afghan government to eventually take over security and to provide stronger government institutions and services. How can this happen though in a country where the police set up checkpoints and stop cars demanding payment for permission to pass. In 2009, Afghan citizens had to pay approximately US$ 2.5 billion in bribes, which is equivalent to 23 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).… Continues …

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The New York Times on Sunday revealed that massive stores of precious minerals have been found in Afghanistan, a development that clouds the forecast for the stability of the struggling Central Asian nation.

Although Afghanistan's mineral riches were apparently already documented (Steve Hynd at Newshoggers calls it a zombie story) it certainly comes as a surprise to most of us.  Even more surprising is the fact that the monstrous veins of industrial-use minerals are valued at nearly $1 trillion USD.

So why are we only hearing about this now?  The Raw Story suggests that it's a ploy to raise public support for longer involvement in a war that is becoming increasingly unpopular.  Josh Mull says that it's propaganda, and that it's "aimed at the elites who make the wars."… Continues …