The media keep Americans abreast of the military and political melee that is Iraq. Most Americans, however, know little about the chaos unraveling in a nation about 1,000 miles east of Bagdad: Afghanistan. This nation, home of the Taliban, is the largest source of heroin in the world, and is evolving into one of America’s worst geopolitical nightmares.

Reporting on the rapid deterioration of Afghanistan, a July 11 Asia Times article detailed the close connection between the resurging strength of the bin Laden-loving Taliban and the booming poppy industry:

Afghanistan boasts two bumper crops this season, and both could be lethal to the already fledgling authority of its government. Western officials expect the largest-ever opium crop …. And contrary to earlier pronouncements by military officials, the Taliban are gaining steam in the volatile southern provinces, where fighting has raged at levels not seen since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the al-Qaeda-allied Islamic fundamentalist movement five years ago.

Illegal drugs presently account for more than half the gross domestic product of the nation. Afghanistan is the world’s number-one heroin producer and trafficker; more than 90 percent of the world’s opium comes from this one nation. Especially troubling is how serious these problems are despite the massive amounts of time, money and military manpower that the United States, Britain and nato have invested into this nation. Western officials have allotted more than $1 billion into eradicating Afghanistan’s hills of opium; and still 2006 is expected to see the largest-ever opium crop.

If Afghanistan’s poppy producers can be so successful in spite of the more than 20,000 nato troops, the sky is the limit should these soldiers ever leave. How is it that, despite the presence of American, British and nato forces, opium production is at its highest level ever? Just ask the Taliban.

Across the country, Taliban fighters and the nation’s poppy growers and drug smugglers are striking up mutually beneficial relationships. Facing increased pressure from the government and American forces to eradicate their poppy crops (their livelihood), drug smugglers and poppy farmers are increasingly relying on Taliban militants for protection. In return for services rendered, Taliban militants receive money to finance their operations (supporting al Qaeda and killing American, British and nato forces).

The rise in opium production is a clear sign of the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Pockets of organized Taliban fighters are cropping up across the nation, especially in the south and the east. Other than Kabul, the capital, and a few other major cities where Western forces primarily dwell, the government of Hamid Karzai has tenuous control at best. Dealing decisively with the Taliban is critical in this situation. Karzai is being called the “mayor of Kabul” because of his lack of control over territory outside of the capital.

By seeking to eradicate Afghanistan’s poppy growers without dealing decisively with the Taliban, American and nato forces will never solve the drug problem posed by this nation. Dealing with the Taliban is central to regaining stability in Afghanistan. “Even supporters of the war on drugs need to wake up and smell the coffee. … The anti-drug-effort needs to be put on the back burner at least until we can fight off the Taliban and al Qaeda forces” (ibid.).

It is obvious that the U.S., after almost five years of fighting in the dusty and dangerous deserts of Afghanistan, hasn’t won a decisive victory over the Taliban. This terrorist-loving, America-hating organization is as dangerous today as it was five years ago.

Some would argue that this is proof that the U.S. should never have entered the hills of Afghanistan in the first place. Those willing to view this from a biblical perspective, however, see that America’s failure to win a decisive victory against the Taliban despite its overwhelming strategic and military advantage reveals a weakness in the American mindset.

The U.S. is on the back foot in Afghanistan not because it is weaker militarily, but because its will to win is lacking. It is time to remember that ancient prophecy God declared against a rebellious nation caught up in deepening moral and spiritual decline: “And I will break the pride of your power … And your strength shall be spent in vain …” (Leviticus 26:19-20).