As U.S. Retreats, China Looks to Back Taliban with Afghan Mining Investments -

"While the Taliban takes stock of the natural resources and U.S.-funded infrastructure now at their disposal, strategic competitors including China and Russia will eye lucrative development projects that boost their regional ambitions."

Why this is important: Unless you are a government contractor, investments in a failed state typically do not pan out well. Afghanistan holds an estimated 1.4 million tons of rare earth elements, minerals crucial for the production of renewable energy technology, but it will be difficult to gauge the security risks inherent in dealings with a failed state controlled by a religious fundamentalist terrorist organization.