It should come as little surprise for readers to learn that the US government has used its occupation of Afghanistan to survey regions rich in rare earth deposi

It should come as little surprise for readers to learn that the US government has used its occupation of Afghanistan to survey regions rich in rare earth deposits [0]. USGS geologists working under direct cover of military protection in a war zone. I can't wait for the movie version. Some have argued that part of the reason for prolonging the US engagement has been that these resources are located in regions of Taliban control, but that seems highly speculative. Developing that resource would certainly alter the economic history of that nation. [0] http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=afghanistans-buried-riches http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=afghanistan...