The ultimate betrayal of one's nation is to put personal interests above the well-being of the country. Those who sell out their own people for self-interest will be judged harshly by history. One such example is Benedict Arnold, a general from America during the Revolutionary War in 1775 to 1783. He is considered one of the worst traitors in history for his defection to the British army.
Throughout history, powerful countries, individuals, and groups, use self-serving narratives to achieve their goals. Wars have been fought over precious resources such as African gold and Iraqi oil, under different false narratives and puppet Governments. They manipulate public opinion and conceal their corrupt actions behind false narratives. For example, during the colonial era, European powers used false narratives to justify their imperialism and exploitation of colonized countries. The recent discovery of nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan is another modern-day manifestation of this bigger game, with minerals such as lithium being indispensable components of cutting-edge technologies like AI and robotics. Control over these industries will shape the trajectory of global power in the coming future.
Lithium is a unique and versatile element, characterized by its soft, silver-white appearance and lightweight properties. As the lightest metal and solid element, lithium has a high energy density and can store a large amount of energy in a small space. This makes it an essential component in batteries, as it provides reliable and long-lasting power. Lithium's ability to regulate chemical imbalances in the brain also makes it a valuable ingredient in certain mental health medications, used to treat conditions such as bipolar disorder. Afghanistan is a land rich in natural resources and minerals, making it a highly desirable destination for those seeking to tap into its abundant reserves. Its valuable assets have made it a prize for many throughout history.
Such as the invasion of Afghanistan by Soviet Union, in 1979 was largely driven by the desire to exploit Afghanistan's natural resources mainly lithium, rather than their narrative of strategic and geopolitical considerations. However, the Soviet occupation was met with widespread resistance, and the Soviet Union was eventually forced to withdraw in 1989. The aftermath of the invasion left Afghanistan in a state of conflict and instability that persisted for many years.
The geopolitical arena continues to be shaped by the ongoing competition for control over valuable resources and the impact these resources have on shaping world events. With the recent withdrawal of the US from the region after two decades, China now stands at the forefront, offering Afghanistan a neutral political climate and significant economic investment. This makes China a compelling alternative to other players in the region, including the US and its former allies. An internal memo from the Pentagon highlights the potential of Afghanistan as a crucial player in the global supply of lithium. It states that Afghanistan has the potential to become the "Saudi Arabia of lithium," meaning that it could play a similarly vital role in the battery metal market as Saudi Arabia does in the crude oil market.
The recent events in Pakistan bear striking similarities to those that have taken place in Syria and Lebanon, where regime changes were carried out by the US to safeguard its own interests in the region through its own corrupt political elite and generals. The example is General Qamar Javed Bajwa, as disclosed by Javed Chaudhary in a recent column. Chaudhary wrote that General Bajwa publicly said that Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were dangerous for Pakistan and he had to "destroy his own image" to save the country. However, the true motives behind this false narrative is to distract masses from his own corruption, as he has been accused of stealing billions of dollars and embezzling state funds. During his time in power, he was instrumental in a regime change operation that resulted in numerous instances of political figures being subjected to custodial torture, the murder of a journalist, the establishment of a corrupt and ineffective government, economic turmoil, and a resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan. The recent bombing at a mosque in Peshawar highlights the pressing need for a stable and secure government that can ensure the safety and prosperity of its citizens.
In Pakistan, it all began with former Prime Minister Imran Khan's unwavering rejection of US-led initiatives in Afghanistan in 2021, when he resoundingly declared "Absolutely Not." The people of Pakistan are now facing the harsh realities of a struggling economy, rising living costs, and terrorism fears as a result of his subsequent removal from office after the regime change operation in April 2022. As Mr. Khan has been known for his critical stance on US foreign policies and military interventions in the Middle East and Central Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has continually emphasized on the requirement for a diplomatic resolution to the strife in Afghanistan, and has firmly stood for Pakistan's autonomy and self-determination in its international relations choices, which have been met with resistance from various quarters. Despite facing opposition, Mr. Khan's position on these matters remains unyielding and which led to a regime change operation to remove him from power, orchestrated through such internal traitors.
"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within." - Marcus T. Cicero
