Afghanistan

Why has security in Afghanistan deteriorated so much over the past year? Former Defense Department officials David Sedney and Barnett Rubin join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Successive Afghan leaders have dreamed of turning their country into a "land bridge" or a "roundabout" of regional trade and cooperation.

Instead, their country -- metaphorically called "the heart of Asia" for its location at the center of Asia's landmass -- has attracted terrorists and covert wars clouding the country's future and raising questions over its very survival as a nation state.

A series of Chinese-financed infrastructure, energy, and transport projects has now raised hopes that the investments will help in establishing lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Inside Afghanistan the main income seems to come from protection rackets and tolls, bribes or taxes. Members of the Taliban also own businesses in the United Arab Emirates, in Qatar and Saudi Arabia that produce funds. Of course everyone in Afghanistan who controls land that grows poppy, or roads over which opiates are transported makes money from protection and extortion of the drug industry, including the Taliban, but that is only part of their portfolio.

Barnett Rubin speaks with Amanpour, CNN’s International's flagship program for global affairs hosted by Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour.

CNN TRANSCRIPT Aired July 29, 2015 - 14:00:00   ET

AMANPOUR: And just ahead, for years we've wondered whether Mullah Omar was dead or alive. He hasn't been seen since around 9/11. I asked 
world renowned expert Barnett Rubin what difference his death would make now. That's next.