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Accessing resources requires a mature system of governance similar to Maslow's triangle. I don't think Afghanistan is at the step (yet) where it can import scie

by 1-6 5y ago

Accessing resources requires a mature system of governance similar to Maslow's triangle. I don't think Afghanistan is at the step (yet) where it can import scientists, hire heavy duty machine operators, logistics, and labs to exploit that mineral wealth. The Chinese, however, are ready to take on that challenge. They're in a different position. If the US decided to start mining in Afghanistan, it would only be seen as an exploiter (start a war, take from the people). The Chinese are viewed as a helper (help pick up from the ravages of war and build infrastructure). It's unfortunate but that's reality.

RegnisGnaw 5y ago
Of course they can, its not that hard. Why do you think China is playing nice with the Taliban. A Chinese State Owned Company will come in with Chinese workers to run the mines for the Taliban. The top officials in the Taliban will receive annual royalty payments.
- sorenn111 5y ago
  This entirely. China is happy to go from nothing and not even functioning government to fully operational resource extraction. It is occurring in a variety of countries in the "belt and road" initiative. I'm sure they are plenty happy to grease the right wheels and make the appropriate official/unofficial payments where needed.
- 1-6 5y ago
  Didn't edit my reply soon enough :). I agree, the Chinese are doing exactly that.
- 1-6 5y ago
  President Biden didn't consult with other world leaders before acting on Afghanistan. This was an actual statement during a press briefing. A quick talk around the table would reveal what China's intentions would be (such as what we're doing here). This amounts to nothing but giving away Afghanistan to China by the Biden Administration. It would have been more appropriate to assist our allies to working with the Afghan government while the US still has some occupation.
- doodlebugging 5y ago
  China obtained copper mining concessions in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. In spite of the fact that USGS personnel went into the country with US troops early on to help update resource maps and gauge resource potential of the country, the Chinese were the first to step in and begin exploiting the huge potential of the country's resources. Along the way, that good relationship with Kabul soured and it is not guaranteed that the Chinese will have any advantage with the Taliban-installed government once that government gets up to speed. I think the Taliban will be wary of dealing with them especially if they lean on or utilize the experience of those Afghanis who previously served in one of the western-backed administrations. Here is a recent article about the status of that concession and complications encountered along the way: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/27/afghanistan-china-spy-ring-mcc-mining-negotiations-mineral-wealth/ https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/27/afghanistan-china-spy-r... I think we will see a period of consolidation of control before we see much opened up to foreign operators who don't already have the blessings of the new leadership. They will operate from a position of minimal trust of outsiders unless the functionality that the foreign entity brings offers an opportunity for them to expand on their control. Just my opinion though.
ZeroGravitas 5y ago
The "resource curse" theory suggests that it's usually easier to bribe the leaders to let you ship in experts and ship out resources. You might get one very nice road that goes between the resources and the (air)port but the rest of the humans living there might as well be orangutans in a palm oil plantation. They're going to have a bad time and not see much of the wealth that gets extracted reinvested in their society as there's no real incentive to do so as you might if you needed to build the next silicon valley with courts and lawyers and universities and managers and experts etc.
thaumasiotes 5y ago
Afghanistan has been mining and exporting valuable minerals for several thousand years. There's more mining technology available now, but it's perfectly feasible to do large-scale mining without it. It's just a question of how badly you want the rocks.
doodlebugging 5y ago
The Chinese already get more use of the northeastern Badakshan province than the Afghan government. They send patrols across into Afghanistan regularly. They are not necessarily viewed as helpers though, but mainly as opportunistic neighbors who won't hesitate to blur lines of control or step over boundaries to expand their own control.

by 1-6 5y ago

RegnisGnaw 5y ago

Of course they can, its not that hard. Why do you think China is playing nice with the Taliban. A Chinese State Owned Company will come in with Chinese workers to run the mines for the Taliban. The top officials in the Taliban will receive annual royalty payments.

sorenn111 5y ago
This entirely. China is happy to go from nothing and not even functioning government to fully operational resource extraction. It is occurring in a variety of countries in the "belt and road" initiative. I'm sure they are plenty happy to grease the right wheels and make the appropriate official/unofficial payments where needed.
1-6 5y ago
Didn't edit my reply soon enough :). I agree, the Chinese are doing exactly that.
1-6 5y ago
President Biden didn't consult with other world leaders before acting on Afghanistan. This was an actual statement during a press briefing. A quick talk around the table would reveal what China's intentions would be (such as what we're doing here). This amounts to nothing but giving away Afghanistan to China by the Biden Administration. It would have been more appropriate to assist our allies to working with the Afghan government while the US still has some occupation.
doodlebugging 5y ago
China obtained copper mining concessions in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. In spite of the fact that USGS personnel went into the country with US troops early on to help update resource maps and gauge resource potential of the country, the Chinese were the first to step in and begin exploiting the huge potential of the country's resources. Along the way, that good relationship with Kabul soured and it is not guaranteed that the Chinese will have any advantage with the Taliban-installed government once that government gets up to speed. I think the Taliban will be wary of dealing with them especially if they lean on or utilize the experience of those Afghanis who previously served in one of the western-backed administrations. Here is a recent article about the status of that concession and complications encountered along the way: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/27/afghanistan-china-spy-ring-mcc-mining-negotiations-mineral-wealth/ https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/27/afghanistan-china-spy-r... I think we will see a period of consolidation of control before we see much opened up to foreign operators who don't already have the blessings of the new leadership. They will operate from a position of minimal trust of outsiders unless the functionality that the foreign entity brings offers an opportunity for them to expand on their control. Just my opinion though.

ZeroGravitas 5y ago

The "resource curse" theory suggests that it's usually easier to bribe the leaders to let you ship in experts and ship out resources. You might get one very nice road that goes between the resources and the (air)port but the rest of the humans living there might as well be orangutans in a palm oil plantation. They're going to have a bad time and not see much of the wealth that gets extracted reinvested in their society as there's no real incentive to do so as you might if you needed to build the next silicon valley with courts and lawyers and universities and managers and experts etc.

thaumasiotes 5y ago

Afghanistan has been mining and exporting valuable minerals for several thousand years. There's more mining technology available now, but it's perfectly feasible to do large-scale mining without it. It's just a question of how badly you want the rocks.

doodlebugging 5y ago

The Chinese already get more use of the northeastern Badakshan province than the Afghan government. They send patrols across into Afghanistan regularly. They are not necessarily viewed as helpers though, but mainly as opportunistic neighbors who won't hesitate to blur lines of control or step over boundaries to expand their own control.