The hidden fortune behind Trump’s dangerous new military escalation [VIDEO]

US President Donald Trump has just promised to send more troops to Afghanistan. And certain critics are worried it’s all about the cash.

Motivations under question

According to several administration officials, the US could send a 4,000-strong force to Afghanistan. And The New York Post has a worrying theory: that Trump’s in it for the money. With a $1tn fortune below the ground, Trump suddenly wants more war in Afghanistan. Even though he has historically come out against it.

With his ratings in free fall, Trump’s motivations are under question.

Trump ”keenly interested” in  $1tn fortune

A decade-old study by the US Geological Survey indicates a vast fortune below Afghanistan. Valued at $1tn, the mineral mix (including gold) has previously been labelled a ‘pipe dream‘. Corruption and difficulties establishing mines are to blame. So far, mining efforts have been sporadic and small. But Trump may be about to change that. Afghanistan’s ambassador to Washington told Reuters in June:

President Trump is keenly interested in Afghanistan’s economic potential, Our estimated $1 trillion in copper, iron ore, rare earth elements, aluminium, gold, silver, zinc, mercury and lithium. That’s new.

With this week’s announcement, Trump has fuelled rumours of a treasure hunt. A report by The New York Post alleges that Trump may be influenced by billionaire Stephen A Feinberg. And the reason may be to secure mining opportunities. Feinberg’s security company DynCorp, meanwhile, could guard the mines.

Kathy Kelly, coordinator for Voices of Creative Non-Violence, told Democracy Now:

it’s repugnant for the United States to believe that we somehow should be able to subordinate the rights and the hopes and the possibilities for another country to serve our national interest. We have no right whatsoever to take over resources in Afghanistan.

Blatant hypocrisy?

Trump’s stunning U-turn flies against years of vapid tweeting. An apparent critic of US involvement in Afghanistan, Trump has spoken out several times:

When will we stop wasting our money on rebuilding Afghanistan? We must rebuild our country first.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2011

He has even accused the US of wasting “blood and treasure” on rebuilding the war-torn country:

We have wasted an enormous amount of blood and treasure in Afghanistan. Their government has zero appreciation. Let's get out!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2013

He also demonstrated awareness of mineral exploitation as early as 2012:

China is getting minerals from Afghanistan http://t.co/uNxQYQWi We are getting our troops killed by the Afghani govt't. Time to get out.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 29, 2012

Today, the apparent ignorance of risk in the presence of potential wealth contradicts Trump’s own history.

In his speech on 21 August, he said:

we are going to participate in economic development to help defray the cost of this war to us.

The Intercept responded by calling Trump’s promises a “plan for more killing — and little else”, stressing:

Along with the U.S. wars in the Middle East and Africa, casualties from U.S. airpower in Afghanistan have also been steadily increasing. Earlier this summer, a U.N. report showed a 43 percent increase in civilian casualties from U.S. and Afghan airstrikes. Local officials have accused the U.S. of bombing indiscriminately in civilian areas.

‘Blood and treasure’

With failing polls and possible impeachment looming, Trump’s latest decision could be for his survival. Access to Afghanistan’s minerals and a continued war may boost his ratings and support from lobbyists. He has so far failed on many of his promises, but offering US elites a cash lifeline may help to save him.

But his apparent U-turn on Afghanistan, along with accusations of an underhanded fiscal motivation, could also be his downfall. With his character under fire, the last thing he needs is to add ‘war profiteer’ to a growing list of accusations. His interest in Afghanistan’s resources, links to billionaire security moguls, and a sudden change of heart are certainly enough to raise questions.

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Featured image via Brian Giesen/Flickr