US to Extract Minerals From Afghanistan to ‘Defray Cost of US Assistance’

The U.S. military has had its eyes on Afghan mineral deposits for some time. A 2007 Pentagon memo that the New York Times quoted in a 2010 article says that Afghanistan could be the “Saudi Arabia of lithium.”

teleSUR
By teleSUR
Afghanistan has a vast untouched wealth of minerals, including lithium, the silvery metal used in mobile phone and computer batteries considered essential to modern life. (AP/Rahmat Gul)

U.S. Companies are planning on taking a larger role in extracting Afghanistan's enormous reserves of valuable rare earth minerals, Reuters reported after U.S. President Donald Trump met with his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani on Thursday. According to a White House statement, the presidents agreed that the development of Afghan minerals by U.S.

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Prosecuting Pillaging May Be Key To Curbing Natural Resource Driven War

Pillaging, or theft during war, is a motivation behind violence driven by the exploitation of natural resources around the world. Why isn’t more done to stop it?

Carey L. Biron
By Carey L. Biron
Pakistan-Mining not Militancy

WASHINGTON --- Governments, lawyers, activists and the broader multilateral system may be missing a key opportunity in the attempt to end war and violence driven by the exploitation of natural resources, analysts suggest. Conflicts around the world are either being fought over access to natural resources or being fuelled by proceeds from the

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Greenwashing? Wisconsin Frac Sand Mining Companies Recognized As ‘Green’ By DNR

Three companies at the forefront of the controversial “frac sand” mining industry have been recognized as “green.”

Trisha Marczak
By Trisha Marczak

Three Wisconsin companies at the forefront of the controversial “frac sand” mining industry have been recognized by the state’s Green Tier Program, which rewards companies that excel in environmentally sound practices. For the ever-growing advocacy group standing up against the silica sand mining industry, which has bulldozed the state for the

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Israel Strengthens Alliance with South Sudan as Middle East Allies Falter

As long as the polarizing periphery doctrine exists, the newly independent South Sudan has no choice but to give Israel access to its resources.

Janessa Schilmoeller
By Janessa Schilmoeller
Israel South Sudan feature photo

Within hours of declaring its independence, Israel became one of the first countries to formally recognize the Republic of South Sudan. This comes as no surprise given the history of aid provided to Southern Sudanese fighters by the Israeli government. Since the 1960s, Israel has provided infrastructural, financial and military support to southern

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