Old-ish news. And the U.S. is building the infrastructure for mining minerals, and damming rivers all for China. Afghanistan gets very little by way of mineral rights or royalties. It’s not much more than a provider of cheap labor. 

China is the big winner. 

New Great Game in Afghanistan

Today, Afghanistan’s natural resources are estimated to be worth billions of dollars. The resources in the neighboring Central Asian states are thought to be worth even more - the cake is huge and as yet largely untouched.

…The Chinese government has been conducting an offensive “shopping spree” in Afghanistan and other Central Asian states for some time now. To Washington’s displeasure, Beijing was able to secure the exploitation rights for the region’s biggest copper mine, by shelling out three billion dollars. Now, fully-laden trucks head from the mine in eastern Afghanistan to China on roads built by the Americans.  >continue<

Vast Mineral Riches  |  New Oil Deposits in Afghanistan

“We do the heavy lifting…they pick the fruit”

(via sunfoundation)