Empire of the Ring

The fastest way to export resources to South Korea was through China.

However, it was not safe to deliver them through China since it could not be trusted. There had been countless events when China tried to make trouble against its neighbors.

It tried to tame Japan with rare earths and stopped Chinese people from visiting Korea due to the THAAD deployment issue while making a big push against Korean companies operating within China.

If Kazakhstan demanded China to open up a route for resources export, it was eminent that it would ask for a benefit in return. It was better to look for other routes than dealing with the Chinese government.

"It's a problem that we don't have the right export route to send our resources to Korea. We can use the Arctic Ocean when the canal project is finished, or use the Persian Gulf when the railroad work from Baku is finished, but for now, our resources are just pie in the sky for Korea because of the high cost of logistics."

Youngho was willing to provide any amount of support if Korea wanted resources. Currently, using the Trans-Siberian Railway to go to Vladivostok was the best export route, but it was extremely difficult to get allocated train cars for freight due to heavy logistics.

***

The U.S. asked if Kazakhstan could increase the number of troops in Afghanistan as the U.S. government was planning to increase its military presence there to take advantage of Afghanistan's mineral resources. Among many countries, U.S. had to choose Kazakhstan because of its troops stationed in Tajikistan.

The U.S. was far away from Afghanistan, but Kazakhstan was just around the corner of the country.

The reason why the U.S. was suddenly doing this was because Afghanistan had at least one trillion dollar worth of resources such as titanium, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth.

These materials were essential materials for electronic equipment, batteries for electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries.

Since Chinese companies controlled most of these metals, so it had hampered U.S. supply and demand. China had been showing interest in Afghanistan, so the U.S. needed to increase its troops to prevent China's advance. But sending thousands of troops to faraway places was also a burden, so it was asking for Kazakhstan's help.

"Chief Michael, I think I understand what you must've been feeling a little bit because I'm now in a position to be asked for a favor now while I was in a position to ask for favors every time."

-I'm very glad that the Duke of Kazakhstan understands my feelings now. Do you understand how much trouble I've been having?

"But they were fair deals. Has the U.S. lost anything from dealing with us?"

-Just know that I went through hardship for you to close a deal for non-tradeable items. It's not a joke.

"All right, all right. By the way, how much additional U.S. troops are you planning to increase?"

-It's not safe to say it over the phone, so I'll send you the details through the diplomatic team.

"Chief, in order for our troops overseas, I have to persuade our National Assembly. Please give me a good excuse."

-Of course, our government should address such concern of yours. Don't worry about the cost of stationing additional troops. And I'll arrange in advance so that Kazakhstan can also participate in resource development in Afghanistan.

"Did you forget that Kazakhstan is a resource-rich country?"

-Your Titanium resource is the world's number one, but I don't think there's much cobalt or rare earth in Kazakhstan, aren't I right?

"We have more than enough to meet our needs."

It was not like Michael to use resource development as a bait to Kazakhstan which had all kinds of world-class metal and nonmetallic resources.

-Does that mean the U.S. can develop all resources in Afghanistan alone?

"You're well aware that what Kazakhstan needs is not resources. I've heard that you're going to deploy laser guns in action this time, but don't you plan to deploy them on a trial basis to your ally?"

-For what purpose do you need laser guns that only fit on naval vessels?

To emit over 300 kilowatts of power output, a fairly large power generation capacity, and auxiliary facilities were necessary, and at the moment, such devices could only be applied to large vessels.

"Wouldn't a multi-purpose landing ship and an Aegis destroyer, which Kazakhstan will be operating in the future, do it?"

-Personally, I'd like to hand it over to Kazakhstan, but I can't persuade the political community because it's a nuclear bomb-grade strategic weapon.

Youngho knew better than anyone else that it wasn't a weapon to hand over just because he asked. Nevertheless, making excessive demands were intended to get something else from Michael.

"Then there's no choice for us but to develop it ourselves. I'm confident that I can make something better than the U.S."

-I wish you could achieve that. It is always welcome for the U.S. to have our allies to acquire its own defense industry technology.

"Don't ask me to lend it to you later."

-Oh, I thought I was a friend of you, but I'm sorry to hear that. Doesn't our relationship deserve more than this?

"Hahaha… I haven't even made it yet, but you're trying to secure it in advance. Okay. We'll share the technology when we make it. Instead, the U.S. will also have to come up with some stealth technology."

-Of course, we have to work together. Then I'll let the government know that you're also going to deploy more troops in Afghanistan.

***

After finishing the phone call with Michael in a good mood, Youngho told Eriksson about the conversation.

"Your Highness, the United States will never give up on Kazakhstan not only for its resources but also for its location which is strategically important. So there's no reason to benefit the U.S. alone. We have to jump into resource development in Afghanistan."

"Why do you want more when we're already having trouble dealing with what we have now?"

"For future generations, we should save resources within the country. Keep in mind that no matter how much resources we have, they will run out someday."

Eriksson suggested participating in the resource development in Afghanistan. The U.S. already investigated the resources buried in Afghanistan, so it was a good opportunity to get a free ride.

"You know, we're not getting them for free. It would be a rightful thing since we are sending troops to dangerous areas."

"So you have to jump in. Because you can influence Afghanistan without having to suffer too much. Northern Afghanistan is traditionally a place fond of Kazakhstan."

Resource development would be unthinkable if Kazakhstan were to be stationed in Afghanistan alone, but with the U.S., it would be a stable business.

Eriksson also mentioned that Kazakhstan's involvement in Afghanistan's resource development would open a way to exert influence on neighboring countries, such as Iran because there were eight million Kurds living in Iran. If Kazakhstan could buy their favor, the Iranian government would have to comply with Kazakhstan.

"The world already knows that the Syrian Kurds have successfully settled in the royal territory of Kazakhstan. And I'm sure everyone knows that the Kurds in northern Afghanistan have accepted it."

"I know that the Kurds will favor us, but I'm still not sure about how the Afghans see us. We are full of resources but we're being greedy for Afghan resources, how can we say that we are the head country in Central Asia?"

"How many current Afghan companies have enough capital to develop resources? It's rather for Afghanistan that we jump in. We're not just trying to drain resources like they do in the developed world."

The U.S. was, after all, greedy for Afghan resources and would continue to stay there.

It was not for Afghanistan either. The U.S. did not promise to protect it from China, so everything was for its national good.

That was what the world was all about, though.

When a country spent a great amount of money on other countries, it had already calculated that there would be profits in the future. Although the U.S. may have come to Afghanistan in retaliation for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but it was true that it was all about resources now.

If there were no resources in Kazakhstan, would the U.S. ever consider being an ally of Youngho? No matter how important in geopolitical position Kazakhstan was, it would be different from now.