Theres something about Afganistan, what is it?

even before terrorism was the word of the year or decade, countries have always tried to take Afganistan over, my question is what is so special about Afganistan? I feel it may be two issues this time round, one to protect the oil pipe that needs to run through the country and secondly to take the proceeds of the drugs. Remember the war Britain had with China because it wanted to ban Opium so it is obviously a very important commodity. what are you think? in my opinion if it was simply a war about sorting out the country then it would not take 8 years, each British forces personnel we lose is 1 too many and we need question things now as even one live saved is worth it.