Afghanistan: Rags to Riches or Resource Curse?
Rosa Montero, El Pais (in Spanish) | June 23, 2010
The recent discoveries of mineral riches in Afghanistan raise more questions than they answer. ++ Knowledge of the mineral deposits predates the war and lends a “sinister” interpretation to the “many years of frenzied fighting.” ++ A recent peace offer to the Taliban also appears in a new light, for it seems to offer the insurgents the opportunity “to continue torturing women… as long as they allow the proper people to exploit the mineral deposits.” ++ Despite the fanfare, the sudden riches will hardly contribute to making Afghanistan a more stable country.
