We are never leaving Afghanistan.

It has recently come to light that there are massive deposits of just about every thinkable mineral necessary to support modern technology. Lithium. Iron, Copper, you name it. The value of the resources is nearly 1 trillion dollars (over 83 times the value of the entire Afghan economy).

Risen makes note of two major concerns that come along with this massive discovery: the likely resurgence of warlordism and the doggedness with which the Chinese are going to pursue contracts within the country. The former promises to re-energize the Taliban and fracture the tentative alliances the American military has been working to coordiate for the last 2 years. The latter promises the exploitation of the citizenry and their lands to about the fullest extent possible. Development may allow for some Afghans to find menial jobs, but, as was the case with the USA throughout the 20th century, it is unlikely that foreign multinational corporations are going to improve the well-being of the people. Pollution, land seizures, and exploitative labor practices are all serious potential threats. 

Something Risen leaves out in the article is the effect this discovery will have on America. Afghanistan presents another ground for the Sino-American showdown. If you thought we’d been too involved in Afghanistan before, look out. Even if the spiking tribal warfare works itself out and the Afghan government begins running fair elections and the people are fully represented and the government finda a way to use the minerals to promote a general rise in the economy, it is EXTREMELY unlikely that America will leave the country any time in the forseeable future. We’re not going to cede influence in a country that could potentially make us even wealthier.

We are never leaving Afghanistan.

I’m a little late to this story. I’ve been away from Politico for about a month now, and it appears that was not the best decision. In Mitt Romney’s latest opinion piece, he lays down some very heavy criticism of President Obama. And, no, we’re not talking about charges of socialism or a secret religious history. Romney sets out a couple of key points that I’ve been frustrated with myself for this second half of Obama’s first year in office.

First, Obama has thrown too much of his attention to politically murky and unnecessary projects of reform. energy policy and health care reform are tremendous issues that effect a lot of people, but they most certainly should not take top priority when our country is both

• occupying the two countries of Iraq and Afghanistan
• in the midst of the greatest financial pitfall since the 30s

I may not agree with Romney’s proposed solutions to these two problems, but I certainly cannot disagree with him about their importance.

Second, Obama’s careful consideration of the situation in Afghanistan before last night’s announcement of troop deployment, appears to me to be incredibly indecisive. I understand that there are pressures from all sides, but military decisions aren’t the kind of thing you can go on a whirlwind town hall tour about. You have to sit down with all of the information at your disposal, and figure out the best use of American resources. Romney would argue the troop deployment has been a long time coming. I personally feel Afghanistan lost all legitimacy when the most recent election was riddled with fraud, clearly revealing the domestic rejection of their own government. But I think we would both agree that taking this long to come to a decision is disheartening.

It may be too early to begin considering the 2012 Republican Party nominee, but I think Mitt Romney may have learned a lesson or two from 2008. He’s shaping up to be a real voice of reason outside of the petty fights in the Capitol.