Those Rare Earth Mines the Chinese pay us to guard mean a LOT.
China is the key there.
Not just access to resources in the region but, more importantly, passage for Chinese goods to the Mid East.
Pakistan and Iran want Chinese money and have started recieving it for transportation development. Now they will profit by supporting the Afghan government instead of the terrorists.
The Silk Road runs through Afghanistan.
Gold, silver and platinum, significant quantities of iron ore, uranium, zinc, tantalum, bauxite, coal, natural gas and significant copper, and at the top, lithium which is used in electric car, computer and cell phone batteries.
Plus the opium and marijuana crops and distribution.