I believe Afghanistan is about keeping control of where the money flows from one of the largest commodities on the planet (OPIUM). Historically Opium is a required substance of war and is why Afghanistan has always been occupied. Of course, opium can be produced anywhere, but Afghanistan controls the market price worldwide
Don’t forget about the oil pipelines criss-crossing the ME. There’s a power grab going on behind the scenes between all the major players, but of course we were told by Bush and Obama that the reason we’re there is to “keep America safe.” Enough already.