[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

What most don't seem to realize in regard to our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is the reason for that involvement... Opium.

Iraq is a major overland shipping route for Opium from Turkey to ports in the Persian Gulf.
Afghanistan was a major producer of Opium Poppies until the Taliban shut it down.
The drug czars (Skull & Bones) that have infiltrated the highest levels of the US government couldn't tolerate the interruption of their trade. A trade that they wrestled away from the East India Trading Company back in the 1700's with the use of faster sailing ships built by William H Russell of Connecticut. The founder of Skull and Bones.
China is the major market for the illegal Opium trade. Possibly the reason why we're so buddy buddy with them?