Related Information to Afghanistan vs USA

Afghanistan vs USA - Page 8

AFGHAN OPIUM PRODUCTION AT RECORD LEVEL

Afghanistan's harvest of the raw material for opium is expected to be the largest on record this year, according to a UN report released Monday.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...stan-opium.html

USA Afghanistan

NPR had a great report on this last evening. The report was that poppy production is down in the government controlled areas, but it is skyrocketing where the Taliban has influence. In short, the government is controlling it where it can, but out of its reach it is powerless to stop the Taliban.

That leads me to wonder why can't the entire force of NATO do something to get rid of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The report also mentioned that America wanted to begin spraying the poppy crops to kill them, but the Afghan government was opposed because it would incite the people against the Afghan government (and America). In other words, we should let them grow poppy in the Taliban areas because that's their only option.

Catch-22, it would appear.

Afghanistan vs USA History & Civil Business Politics

You make a good point Tortdog. Poppy fields have for a long time been the most lucrative cash crop for Afghanis.

Here are some interesting facts about Afghanistan's poppy addiction:

The important statistic to note is the high sale price of poppy fields. Why would farmers consider growing other crops when they can earn so much from poppy? International trade barriers, including Western subsidisation of its own agriculture, make it near impossible for third world farmers to compete. Afghanistan has a monopoly on poppy fields. It may be to cultivate a natural plant that is used for illegal means. But the reality is there is a demand for this product so it will continue to be farmed.

You can't win the war on drugs by trying to eliminate drugs. They are an underground product that will be produced as long as there is a demand. This also applies to opium and its much harsher form, heroin.

Page 8 USA Afghanistan

CANADA TAKES PART IN A MAJOR NEW OFFENSIVE IN AFGHANISTAN

Canadian troops in Afghanistan on Saturday took part in a major new military offensive against Taliban insurgents.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...-offensive.html

USA Afghanistan

I was watching a documentary about heroine. Afghanistan currently supplies 90% of the world's request for this job. The reason is a vicious cycle:

1. Before the US invasion the Taliban irradiated poppy growth (the plant that produces opium) in 2001. They did this by using hard line methods of breaking the hands and legs of farmers that grew it.

2. When the US invaded and basically took out the Taliban farmers of the Popy returned. Today they are free to grow the poppy plant. Sometimes the current Afghanistan government may come around and destroy a few crops, but when that happens the farmer will join the Taliban because they need a way to feed their families.

3. Today more farmers join the Taliban when their crops are destroyed. The Taliban are seeing the poppy plant as a Jihad against the US because of the effect it has on its users.

Afghanistan vs USA

Brown In Afghanistan

Gordon Brown arrives in Kabul on his first visit to Afghanistan as UK prime minister.
Ref. BBC

Afghanistan USA - Page 8

Fox is reporting that there will soon be thousands of marines called up for service in Afghanistan because of an eminent offensive in the future by the Taliban. What is strange about this... there are more troops in Afghanistan now than there was at the start of the war years ago. Does anyone feel that this will turn out or is turning out to be like the old war against the Russians?

Afghanistan USA Politics Business Civil & History - Page 8

Afghanistan risks 'failed state'

Afghanistan risks turning into a failed state and becoming a forgotten war, a US study says.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/s...sia/7216833.stm