[Vermont Lt]

Rare Earth Minerals.

And why aren’t we extracting them? Because they are in Indian country and the Indians like the Chinese more than they like us. And the Indians are not idiots—they know what they are worth.

We thought we could go in, blow up the Taliban, cut some good deals with the government and rip them off. Just like empires have been doing for years.

They have a different idea.

We should leave and do what the US used to be the best at—cutting deals with corrupt governments. It would save us a lot of money.

[Rummyfan]

And why aren’t we extracting them? Because they are in Indian country and the Indians like the Chinese more than they like us. And the Indians are not idiots—they know what they are worth.

That may not last, especially if the current border skirmishes escalate.