With eye to China investment, Taliban now preserve buddhas

After the Soviet invasion in the late 1970s, Russians dug tunnels to investigate the copper deposit; the cavernous bore holes are still visible. These were later used as an al-Qaida hideout, and at least one was bombed by the U.S. in 2001.

The Taliban victory in Afghanistan and war in Ukraine all fall in accordance with China's plans for a new Silk Road. American influence in Eurasia is fading fast.

 American influence in Eurasia is fading fast.

If so, Russia won the Great Game. Russia's Russias Eurasian Economic Union and China's Belt and Road if merged to become the Imperium would be a huge empire, one that could use up most resources on the planet, even more than those used by the US, British, French, Austrian, Ottoman, Russian, any empire before it. And if the effects of global climate change continue we should expect to see life on the planet become even harsher, the end result of the various forms of unchecked capitalism driven by the 'I want' and 'greed is good' mentality.

China model is simple. They lend you the money and eventually they want to see a return of their investment. They don't care how you run the country or care to meddle into your business as long you earn them money. And that is the biggest difference between them and the west. The west want to impose their views and morals into other countries, which eventually lead to tension and conflicts. China won't have this problem because all they want is profit and benefit. The Taliban is gonna get along fine with them as long they can keep up with the repayment.

The Taliban are learning to put their mouth where the (Chinese) money is, but, as George Jr. once asked, is their children learning?

Taliban needs Chinese money.

This headless Buddha image goes against the title. Anyway, this communist China is not interested in Buddhism. What China wants is to own more property where the land has in terms of wealth.

Strange, isn't it? Here are two groups of people who would basically hate one another, but at the same time they're drawn to one another. The Chinese would like to enslave or kill the Taliban if they could, the the Taliban would like to do the same. One group doesn't believe in God while the other group does (or so they claim to), but all boiled down they're both basically pretty creepy.

And that is the biggest difference between them and the west. The west want to impose their views and morals into other countries, which eventually lead to tension and conflicts. 

Really? Then why is the USA not having a fight with countries like Saudi Arabia or other authoritarian countries in the Middle East. As long as you are an ally, the USA does not care if you are the devil or not.

By the way, look at what China is doing to Australia. The CCP got angry because of the way the Australian government is trying to run it's country (I am not going into details cause it is too big). The CCP is no angel itself.

This is why I love China. They don’t blow the poo out of countries, they trade.

China model is simple. They lend you the money and eventually they want to see a return of their investment. 

Hiro, that is not how it works. China does not lend money to countries; it finances projects itself, which it then owns for a fixed period (say, 99 years). As many South Pacific island nations have found, this is an insidious way for China to take over their territory.

The US and it's UK/EU axis, when balked in their efforts to get 'their' resources out from beneath another country on very favorable terms find an unscrupulous local and force the country to accept his rule.

China, on the other hand just waits until the locals change their own government.

PS, when the mine gets set up, odds are pretty good that it's production is going to roll out of Afghanistan on Iranian made rails

That's right now. Put on a 'happy face' to get favors from China. When the fanatical Taliban gets back on their feet again and stabilized, those Buddhas will be Gonesville. Guaranteed.

Well there are over 40 million afghans, mostly illiterate and now starving to death after the West pulled the plug, so now it’s China’s turn, whatever, no big political or geographic gain for them, there’s nothing except poppy plantations and desert…. Afghanistan’s was Gb, Russias and the US’s graveyard, so next will be them. People never learn……

To a nation with a wise leader resources are power. Afghanistan seems to be blessed with resources but it had best beware of any big dog nation and its hegemonic legerdemain. With over a billion mouths to feed China has to keep plenty of irons in the fire. Some estimates place Africa as having 60% of the world's arable land, and China needs food. Guess what? It's in Africa big time. It is even greening its Gobi desert and farming there. The Taliban seems to have found their second religion.

The Taliban have learned a lot from America; you can set aside your religious-convictions for a large cash payout.