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It's been known for the last few thousand years that the area currently known as Afghanistan is a mineral treasure trove, but the extreme remoteness and unpolicied nature of the region make any serious mining ventures impractical. It's only profitible for locals who extract lapis and gemstones from workings that have been exploited for centuries. I find the timing of this “revelation” and the mainstream radio news parroting it, peculiar. There is an ulterior motive for this seemingly innocuous announcement.

[Heatseeker]

And note Kyrgyzstan conveniently blew up again this weekend, giving Vladimir Vladimirovich an excuse to get back in there pronto and get us out of Manas, etc.