Natural resources left in Afghanistan are 'a treasure chest for our adversaries,' veteran congressman says

Rep. Brian Mast told Fox News that the Taliban's control over Afghanistan's natural resources is like leaving a "treasure chest" for U.S. adversaries.

"One of the reasons that we didn't fight is to leave a treasure chest for our adversaries like China and others," he continued.

Afghanistan sits on as much as $3 trillion in mineral wealth, according to an article the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., posted in 2012. The resources include rare semi-precious gems, copper, iron, gold, uranium and lithium, which is essential for alternative energy sources.