One Graph explains the war in Afghanistan.
Back in May, 2001, pre-War-On-reality, The NY Times wrote an interesting article entitled Taliban's Ban On Poppy A Success, U.S. Aides Say
'UNITED NATIONS, May 18— The first American narcotics experts to go to Afghanistan under Taliban rule have concluded that the movement's ban on opium-poppy cultivation appears to have wiped out the world's largest crop in less than a year'.An expert, explains why the reduction:
'...in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand, where the Taliban's hold is strongest, farmers said they would rather starve than return to poppy cultivation -- and some of them will, experts say'.Obviously, the experts were very concerned for the Opium farmers livelihoods:
''We will continue to look for ways to provide more assistance to the Afghans,'' he said in a statement, ''including those farmers who have felt the impact of the ban on poppy cultivation.which is strange, especially, at a time when you have economic sanctions - which as we all know, only hurts the citizens.
Afghanistan is now under United Nations sanctions, imposed at the insistence of the United States because the Islamic movement will not turn over Osama bin Laden for trial in connection with attacks on two American Embassies in Africa in 1998.The next remarks, from U.N and U.S.appear cautionary, reconsider harvesting Opium or face the consequences:
American experts and United Nations officials say the Taliban are likely to face political problems if the effects of the opium ban are catastrophic and many people die.5 months later the U.S. are in Afghanistan, killing and bombing their way to democracy, and thirteen years later:
Opium cultivation is up 224%.
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