2 world problems solved for the price of 1 (a continuing series)

The New York Times is reporting that there are $1,000 billion worth of unexploited minerals in Afghanistan, a fact probably understood by the Russians while they were there, but not possible to exploit due to 30 years of war. But there may be a solution to multiple problems.

Consider the following:

• The Chinese need minerals, particularly lithium for battery production.
• The Chinese are good at putting down discontent amongst religious groups, mostly because they have different ideas about "peacekeeping".
• The western powers are sick to the back teeth of being bombed in Afghanistan.
• The Chinese have plenty of cash; the western powers do not.

$250 billion for the keys to Kabul sounds like a fair price.