Look, I want a 9/11 investigation more than anyone. But the war in afghanistan was, IMO, completely justified before 9/11. Look at the details. The US wanted the oil, we put taleban into power to help us get it, they changed their mind, and you know the rest!
1991-1997: Oil Investment in Central Asia Follows Soviet CollapseThe Soviet Union collapses in 1991, creating several new nations in Central Asia.
1995-November 2001: US Lobbies India Over Enron Power PlantEnron’s $3 billion Dabhol, India power plant runs into trouble in 1995 when the Indian government temporarily cancels an agreement.
September-October 1995: Unocal Obtains Turkmenistan Pipeline DealOil company Unocal signs an $8 billion deal with Turkmenistan to construct two pipelines (one for oil, one for gas), as part of a larger plan for two pipelines intended to transport oil and gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and into Pakistan.
December 1995: Caspian Sea Said to Contain Two-Thirds of World’s Known Oil Reserves
May 1996: US Seeks Stability in Afghanistan for Unocal Pipeline
June 24, 1996: Uzbekistan Cuts a Deal with EnronUzbekistan signs a deal with Enron
August 13, 1996: Unocal, Delta Oil Plan Afghan Pipeline
September 27, 1996: Victorious Taliban Supported by Pakistan; Viewed by US, Unocal as Stabilizing Force
October 7, 1996: Future Bush Envoy to Afghanistan Wants US to Help Taliban Unify Country, Build Pipeline
October 11, 1996: Afghan Pipeline Key to ‘One of the Great Prizes of the 21st Century’
August 1997: CIA Monitors Central Asia for Oil Reserves
October 27, 1997: Halliburton Announces Turkmenistan Project; Unocal and Delta Oil Form ConsortiumHalliburton, a company headed by future Vice President Dick Cheney
November 1997: Enron and bin Laden Family Team Up for Project
December 1997: Unocal Establishes Pipeline Training Facility Near bin Laden’s Compound
December 4, 1997: Taliban Representatives Visit Unocal in Texas
Early 1998: US Official Meets with Taliban; Promote Afghan Pipeline
June 23, 1998: Future VP Cheney Raves About Caspian Sea Opportunities
August 9, 1998: Northern Alliance Stronghold Conquered by Taliban; Pipeline Project Now Looks Promising
December 5, 1998: Unocal Abandons Afghan Pipeline Project
Late 1998: Taliban Stall Pipeline Negotiations to Keep Western Powers at Bay
1999: US Ready to Fight For Oil, Especially in Persian Gulf and Caspian Regions
A top level US policy document explicitly confirms the US military’s readiness to fight a war for oil. The report, Strategic Assessment 1999, prepared for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of defense, states, “energy and resource issues will continue to shape international security,” and if an oil “problem” arises, “US forces might be used to ensure adequate supplies.” Oil conflicts over production facilities and transport routes, particularly in the Persian Gulf and Caspian regions, are specifically envisaged. [Sydney Morning Herald, 5/20/2003]
July 4, 1999: Executive Order Issued Against Taliban
December 20, 1999: Iran Said to Be Supporting Conflict in Afghanistan to Further Their Own Pipeline Plans
December 19, 2000: US Seeks Taliban Overthrow
January 21, 2001: Bush Administration Takes Over; Many Have Oil Industry Connections
May 16, 2001: Cheney’s Energy Plan Foresees Government Helping US Companies Expand Into New Markets
May 23, 2001: Former Unocal Employee Becomes Bush’s Special Assistant to Middle East and Central Asia
June 27, 2001: India and Pakistan Discuss Building Pipeline Project Through Iran
July 21, 2001: US Official Threatens Possible Military Action Against Taliban by October if Pipeline Is Not Pursued
August 2, 2001: US Official Secretly Meets Taliban Ambassador in Last Attempt to Secure Pipeline Deal
September 11, 2001: The 9/11 Attack
October 5, 2001: Study Reveals Significant Oil and Gas Deposits in Afghanistan
October 9, 2001: Afghan Pipeline Idea Is Revived
December 8, 2001: US Oil Companies to Invest $200 Billion in Kazakhstan
January 1, 2002: Ex-Unocal Employee Becomes US Special Envoy and ’Real President’ of Afghanistan
February 9, 2002: Pakistani and Afghan Leaders Revive Afghanistan Pipeline
February 14, 2002: US Military Bases Line Afghan Pipeline Route
May 30, 2002: Afghan, Turkmen, and Pakistani Leaders Sign Pipeline Deal
December 27, 2002: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan Agree on Building Pipeline
