Afghanistan is considered one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. Many Afghans believe that if these resources are utilized properly, transparently, and professionally, the country could transform into a prosperous and developed nation within a few years.
A preliminary study by NASA (the U.S. space agency) indicated that Afghanistan possesses mineral resources worth approximately $3 trillion. Other sources suggest the value could be as high as $25 trillion.
Currently, under Taliban rule, the government has increased its focus on mineral extraction. While some view this as an economic opportunity, many others express concern over the unregulated, unprofessional, and non-transparent way the extraction is being carried out. The details of mining contracts remain largely inaccessible to the public.
The central question remains:
Will Afghanistan’s mineral wealth bring stability or further political, social, and security challenges?
What lessons can be drawn from regional and global experiences?
And how can Afghanistan manage and utilize these resources in a way that benefits the entire nation?
To explore these questions, we interviewed Arian Sharifi, a professor of International Security Studies at Princeton University, who previously served at the Afghan National Security Council.
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