The Taliban in 2000 had stopped all the production of heroine in Afghanistan hence we had a global heronine drought.Now Afghanistan produces 90% of the world's heroine.So the locals get paid a pitance for their drugs which they buy arms to kill US soldiers.International drug catels make $ billions supplying medicine for injured soldiers.

Arms dealers and their manufacturers make a fortune selling to both sides of this war.Afghanistan has $ trillions in lithium need for the battery industry.A single high quality lithium battery in the trades industry is worth $200.

Afghanistan is an important route for oil and gas piplines from Turkmenistan to the Capsian Sea.

How do we find a terrorist state? Find out which one has the energy and resources that Global Corporates covert.

I agree Arjay, the war in afghanistan was all about a drought in female super heros. Damn you Bush, go Wonder Woman!

Forgive me if I cannot trust one who cannot spell the key word in their argument.

A well written, compelling article.

There have been so many mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan (and elsewhere), and no point in arguing the contrary or raking over reasons, excuses or explanations, but only in finding an effective and humanitarian way forward.

I find the reasoning of Malalai Joya, put forward in the following excerpt from the article, particularly worthy and compelling:

<She knows it won't be heaven after the troops leave, but she says that: "if you withdraw your support for warlords and drug lords, like Matiullah Khan in Oruzgan, then it will help to break their backbone. Redirect your support to democratic institutions, to women's organisations, to peace movements, to education, certain NGOs or the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan.">

She says that the Afghan people are suffering doubly in the present situation, and one can well believe this when it appears from recent news reports that even in Kabul the electricity, water and sanitation services are in a mess, the local media is hamstrung, and the people live in constant fear of the local authorities. Just what sort of "reconstruction", and what sort of governance does this represent?

The thoughts of Khalil Gibran offer some suggestions, among them - 'friendship is a sweet responsibility, and never an opportunity'.

Surely we can find a way through introspection and through the lessons of the various peace movements blossoming in various conflict arenas around the world - using sport, music and dance, and the sharing of common humanity to defuse fear and distrust.

My thought for promoting peace, for defusing the war on terror, and in particular for defusing the fear of Islam throughout the West, is for the adoption of the English language as the world language for diplomacy and for religious practice, so that diplomatic discussions are conducted as far as possible in English, and so that Moslem services are delivered both in English and Arabic in all non-Arabic areas - thus removing one barrier of distance and demography, as well as the fear of hidden or poorly understood messages. A move to openness and honesty - to friendship.