New York Times
September 2, 2006
Opium Harvest at Record Level in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 2 �?? Afghanistan�??s opium harvest this year has reached the highest levels ever recorded, showing an increase of almost 50 percent from last year, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa, said Saturday in Kabul.
The new media blogosphere often provides a glimpse into tomorrow’s news today. This story is the latest example. Back in April, milblogger and citizen journalist extraordinaire Michael Yon wrote about Afghanistan’s record opium crop on his blog,,
There�??s lots of money in the addiction-business, and opium injects more liquidity into Afghanistan than all those 85 other products combined. Afghanistan is the Opium Poppy King, producing nearly all of the world�??s supply. Continuing the trend of the past several years, the 2006 crop is believed to be the largest in the history of the world. This, I am told, is closely related to the coincident rising tide of violence in this country…
…As the Beechcraft drops lower, the poppy fields become more obvious, the farmers sowing it brazenly practically right next to the air strip. Farmers do not like uncertainty, and the fact that it is impossible NOT to see huge swaths of poppy fields next to major roads, and next to the airfield, makes it clear that economically, the enemy is growing here at the speed of Papaver somniferum.
On August 13, we had the pleasure of speaking once again with Michael on Pundit Review Radio. He was invited back to give us his grim assessment of the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is why Michael is a such a beloved member of the new media. He goes to where the action is and provides an honest assessment, the good, the bad and the ugly. He discussed at length his negative outlook for Afghanistan and why that was based largely on the record opium crop that he had seen throughout the country during his recent travels.
You can listen to that interview by clicking here.
Stay one step ahead via the blogosphere.