Imperialism and illicit drugs commonly go together. However, with Taliban opium eradication efforts in full effect, heroin is in short supply, and experts fear that a new fentanyl crisis could be brewing in the US.
The facts are pretty clear. During the US military operation, opium production skyrocketed. After the US left, the Taliban cracked down on opium production.
You can interpret that however you want. Was it a way for the US to earn favours from local leaders, by allowing them to do what the Taliban did not? Was it due to an inability to control crop production during war? Was it a CIA Contras style drug operation?
The facts are pretty clear. During the US military operation, opium production skyrocketed. After the US left, the Taliban cracked down on opium production.
You can interpret that however you want. Was it a way for the US to earn favours from local leaders, by allowing them to do what the Taliban did not? Was it due to an inability to control crop production during war? Was it a CIA Contras style drug operation?