Taliban bans opium then suddenly 9/11

99  2017-06-19 by dionthorn

I never see this talked about enough. Literally a few months before the attacks.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2001/05/20/world/taliban-s-ban-on-poppy-a-success-us-aides-say.html

Edit: a fun graph found here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_production_in_Afghanistan

Edit 2 ( Edit 3: this link is a PDF!): "On September 11, 2001, the regional price of a kilo of opium had reached an all-time high of $746. Within weeks of the attacks on New York and Washington, it had dropped to $95 a kilo, according to DEA records, "

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/resources/taliban_opium_1.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiCkpbRjcvUAhWl64MKHd5MCXwQFggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNGjUfaHBoV7MmADcacQMRS0kXv9Fw&sig2=7_9ogK_fXUsQq4rkf4MU6w

30 comments

n/a  AIsuicide 2017-06-19

Actually...in 1999 the CIA released a report that Colombian cartels were building enormous opium refinery facilities.

They said that it didn't make sense because the opium harvest in Columbia was pitiful.

The potency was very low, the yield was very low but they were still building these refineries.

What really happened to the opium harvest of 2001? It went to Columbia...bulk.

And that's where it's been going ever since.

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

That is an interesting viewpoint.

I'm researching now: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3946788/

n/a  AIsuicide 2017-06-19

I have tried numerous times to find the report again. I used it in a PowerPoint presentation in my chemical dependence class in college 2011. I have it on a flashdrive, but can't find it.

If you find the report please link to me.

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

I found this which has many linked CIA reports regarding Columbia I'm trying to parse through it and find the exact topic your talking about.

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

I found this which has a lot of CIA report links regarding Columbia I'm attempting to parse through it.

http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB69/part2.html

Edit: accidentally deleted my last post, mobile reddit hates me.

n/a  AIsuicide 2017-06-19

It dead ends at 1998. But the last report includes a bit on Dyncorp pilots. Very interesting.

n/a  soonerchad 2017-06-19

Ever seen this?

US military protect poppy fields Afghanistan

https://youtu.be/HNqIrDKnNE8

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

Yep I remember this, that's why I'm so interested in it.

n/a  soonerchad 2017-06-19

Are you by chance watching "Americas War on Drugs" on the History Channel right now?

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

I want to just haven't had the time.

n/a  soonerchad 2017-06-19

Its on now and so far its damn good. Was just talking about Opium.

n/a  Step2TheJep 2017-06-19

Is it any good? If it is on 'History channel' I doubt it. Surely they find a way to mention Hitler in there somewhere.

n/a  RooLoL 2017-06-19

It's quite good and would be very eye opening to anyone who is uninformed on how the CIA time and time again fucks the American public for control and money.

n/a  435435435 2017-06-19

They DID ban the smack

Then the American invaded the country with freedom - that makes 90% of the worlds smack

And now it's being sold again... With pictures of American soldiers guarding poppy fields

With respect your about 15 years behind with this one

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

I've known about it since 9/11 just didn't see it discussed very often.

n/a  435435435 2017-06-19

Sorry if I come across harshly.

It's just annoying the facade of the war of drugs, when in reality 'we' sell them

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

No problem, people generally ignore that which makes them uncomfortable.

n/a  safe_as_milk 2017-06-19

It was to weaken Russia, I would put money on the meth problem in the US being revenge

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

Drugs are an excellent way to destabilize a region.

n/a  Mae-Brussell-Hustler 2017-06-19

Also, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Shah_Massoud

Ahmad Shah Massoud (Dari Persian: احمد شاه مسعود;[1] September 2, 1953[citation needed] – September 9, 2001) was an Afghan political and military leader. He was a powerful military commander during the resistance against the Soviet occupation between 1979 and 1989 and in the following years of civil war, during which time he became known as the Lion of Panjshir (Persian: Shire Panjshir ; شیر پنجشیر‎‎). Massoud was assassinated on September 9, 2001.

In the spring 2001, Ahmad Shah Massoud had addressed the European Parliament in Brussels, saying that Pakistan was behind the situation in Afghanistan. He also said that he believed that, without the support of Pakistan, Osama bin Laden, and Saudi Arabia, the Taliban would not be able to sustain their military campaign for up to a year. He said the Afghan population was ready to rise against them. Addressing the United States specifically, he warned that should the U.S. not work for peace in Afghanistan and put pressure on Pakistan to cease their support to the Taliban, the problems of Afghanistan would soon become the problems of the U.S. and the world.

Declassified Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) documents from November 2001 show that Massoud had gained "limited knowledge... regarding the intentions of Al-Qaeda to perform a terrorist act against the U.S. on a scale larger than the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania." They noted that he warned about such attacks.

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

Damn, more reading to do!

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

You sir, are a goldmine.

n/a  AIsuicide 2017-06-19

Most excellent comment. Worthy of its own post, considering the History Channel is giving this issue more traction right now.

n/a  Dontbelievemefolks 2017-06-19

Massifs was old school in his methods at times but was a revered leader and loved by his people.

n/a  klorptar 2017-06-19

I wouldn't say this is one of the primary reasons for the attack, but it's certainly been one of the bonuses of our involvement in Afghanistan.

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

Only a few billion in extra and non taxable drug production!

n/a  klorptar 2017-06-19

And obviously secret funding to CIA projects not subject to congressional oversight. No big deal, folks.

n/a  elevatedimension 2017-06-19

I would put it as reason #2. Reason #1 being Afghanistan was the kickstart to the war on terror, it enabled invading Iraq and basically America has been in perpetual war ever since with no end in sigh, the main goal of the Military Industrial Complex

n/a  saurongetti 2017-06-19

Also Gold was going to be used as money 2 days before 9/11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71upDpq3sbo

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

Its funny how we always seem to get into conflicts with countries that don't use our banking system.

n/a  frequentlywrong 2017-06-19

Watch the 4 part series on youtube. It is a very interesting explanation why it is about opium.

First part: https://youtu.be/2ssrcD5GdPQ

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

Only a few billion in extra and non taxable drug production!

n/a  dionthorn 2017-06-19

No problem, people generally ignore that which makes them uncomfortable.

n/a  elevatedimension 2017-06-19

I would put it as reason #2. Reason #1 being Afghanistan was the kickstart to the war on terror, it enabled invading Iraq and basically America has been in perpetual war ever since with no end in sigh, the main goal of the Military Industrial Complex