Creating Wealth in Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld worries that opium money is undermining peace, stability, and democracy in Afghanistan. "The enormous wealth that comes from dealing drugs can be put to uses that are adverse to our interests or the interests of the Afghan government," Rumsfeld notes. "To the extent that millions of dollars are available to criminals and to people who are not democratic, it puts at risk the entire system." If so, why does the U.S. work so hard to make sure that thugs, warlords, and terrorists continue to enjoy this windfall?