Abdou,
             thank you for taking part in this discussion. I am aware of the
intense jockeying around the Caspian oil and you  are right that Afghanistan
is an important component in the overall calculations of getting the
prospected oil and gas to market. It is reasonable to say that an Afghanistan
amenable to western influence serves the interests of nations whose companies
are players in this enterprise including the U.S. It must also be said that
there are competing consortia including the Turkish, Iranian and Russian
backed plans all trying their hardest to get a cut of this caspian bounty. It
is the  twentyfirst century version of the great game  in which powerful
countries jostle for advantage and influence. As a result your statement of
an economic motive is not without merit, but you should note that Pakistan
which was the principal mentor and backer of the Taliban was equally lobbying
 Washington on their behalf for recognition which would then facilitate the
routing of any pipeline through Afghanistan. The Taliban also wanted the
pipeline even as they struggled to extend their rule in the whole of their
country.I believe if the Taliban had not been tied to terrorism, Washington
might find a way to deal with them if they turn out to be the best route to
take the caspian energy to market. The war however came as a direct result of
the terror campaign and the regime change viz-aviz the Taliban may turn out
to be an advantage for Ameraica by making Afghanistan a more plusable
contender with a freindly regime. I don't think wanting to route energy alone
or in large part would prompted them to go to war .
Karamba

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