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Khalilzad warns of China’s growing grip on Central Asian minerals, urges swift US action

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Former U.S. special envoy for Afghan peace talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, has issued a stark warning about China’s accelerating efforts to dominate Central Asia’s vast mineral wealth. He urged Washington—specifically the Trump administration—to act swiftly before Beijing consolidates its hold over the region’s critical resources.

“China’s push for hegemony in Central Asia is marching forward with its aggressive drive to control the region’s rich mineral resources,” Khalilzad posted on X. “We must contain China’s mineral expansionism.”

Khalilzad emphasized that countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan remain open to deeper mineral cooperation with the United States, but cautioned that time is running out.

“It is imperative that we decide—and soon—on plans for exploring opportunities with each of these countries, and perhaps regionwide. Our neglect will only help China,” he said.

China’s advance in the region

Under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijing has emerged as the dominant economic actor in Central Asia, investing billions in infrastructure, energy, and mining projects. Chinese firms have secured major stakes in lithium, copper, uranium, gold, and rare earth deposits across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

These deals, often linked to infrastructure financing and soft loans, have effectively aligned regional economies with Chinese supply chains—particularly in sectors vital to the global clean energy transition.

Afghanistan: A high-stakes frontier

Afghanistan remains central to China’s long-term mineral strategy. The country’s estimated $1 trillion in untapped mineral wealth includes lithium, copper, rare earth minerals, and iron ore—resources critical for everything from electric vehicle batteries to defense technologies.

Since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) returned to power in 2021, China has maintained diplomatic engagement, kept its embassy in Kabul open, and signed agreements focused on mining and infrastructure cooperation.

However, the Stimson Center, a U.S.-based nonpartisan think tank, recently noted that despite China’s interest in Afghanistan, Beijing has maintained roughly the same level of investment stock since the IEA takeover. The organization suggests that China is pursuing a measured investment strategy, playing a long game amid ongoing uncertainty.

U.S. absence and strategic risk

While the U.S. once led resource mapping and infrastructure development in Afghanistan through USAID and the Pentagon, it now lacks direct engagement in the country’s mineral sector. Efforts such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and C5+1 diplomacy have yet to yield significant investments or a strategic presence.

Khalilzad’s warnings echo concerns from other U.S. officials. In January, Congressman Rob Wittman told the House Select Committee on China that Beijing was using below-cost price dumping on rare earths to undercut competitors and monopolize supply chains—a tactic designed to “drive out competition” and assert long-term control.

China’s dominance over Central Asian and Afghan mineral assets grants it growing leverage over global clean energy and technology supply chains, just as Western economies seek to reduce dependence on Chinese exports.

Despite heightened awareness in Washington, observers warn that a lack of cohesive and timely U.S. strategy may allow Beijing to further solidify its foothold.

Dr. Michael Kugelman, senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center, said in March: “The U.S. failure to establish a robust, long-term strategy in Afghanistan’s mining sector has left a vacuum that China is eager to fill. Beijing’s patient, strategic approach to securing mineral resources in Afghanistan illustrates Washington’s retreat from a critical arena of geopolitical competition.”

Highlighting Afghanistan’s mineral reserves as a centerpiece in global power dynamics, Marcena Hunter, director at Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, said: “In a world where access to these minerals is a matter of national security, there is a geopolitical race to secure control of critical mineral supply chains.”

 

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Security Sources: Pakistani military shelling in Kunar and Nuristan leaves female doctor dead

The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River.

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Security sources report that several security incidents in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan have resulted in the death of a female doctor, injuries to others, and several people reported missing.

According to the sources, early Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m., Pakistani military forces opened fire on a Toyota vehicle in the Dokalam Baghcha area of Nari district in Kunar province.

The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River. As a result of the incident, a female doctor was killed and another person was injured. Five other individuals who were reportedly in the vehicle remain missing, the sources added.

In a separate incident, security sources stated that around 11:00 a.m. in the Seno area of Shultan district, Kunar province, Pakistani forces carried out artillery shelling that left one person injured. The injured individual was transferred to the provincial hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, security sources in Nuristan say that despite Pakistan’s announced ceasefire, the main road between Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal districts has been completely closed to traffic since Thursday morning.

According to the sources, the closure of the route has caused serious difficulties for local residents, preventing any movement in the area. The sources also claim that Pakistani military posts are located within close proximity of the road and have opened fire on people attempting to pass through the area.

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UN Secretary-General condemns Pakistani airstrike on Kabul rehab center

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.

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The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned a Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation center for addicts in Kabul and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The attack, which occurred on March 16, reportedly left over 600 people killed or injured, according to local sources.

In an official statement, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, emphasized that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on March 16, which reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians at a medical facility.”

Haq added that Guterres has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, while offering his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

The Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need to reduce tensions and immediately halt hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful solutions in accordance with the UN Charter.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.

This development comes after Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary cessation of hostilities ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a move that regional officials hope will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians in both countries.

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IEA Supreme Leader: Afghanistan’s victory lies in faith and National unity

Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.

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Eid al-Fitr prayers were held on Thursday at the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, with a large number of residents attending the ceremony.

During his sermon, Akhundzada said that if the people of Afghanistan were meant to be destroyed by bombardments and military attacks, it would have happened during the wars with the Soviet Union and the United States.

According to the Islamic Emirate leader, the key to Afghanistan’s victory and resilience lies in reliance on Islam, preservation of religious beliefs, and unity among the people. He stressed that by adhering to Islamic values, no country would be able to harm Afghanistan.

Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.

At the same time, he urged government officials to ensure justice in their duties, warning that no system can survive through oppression. He added that the implementation of decrees and laws is necessary to reform society and maintain order in the country.

The Islamic Emirate leader further said that without Islam, Afghanistan could have remained under the control of the United States and NATO, but now, according to him, the country stands as an independent and free nation.

In the economic section of his remarks, Akhundzada called on traders to avoid hoarding goods and instead assist fellow Muslims in difficult times. He warned that individuals found hoarding commodities for up to 40 days would face legal consequences.

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