US sanctions on Afghanistan could be deadlier than 20 years of war

This economist predicts major damage that could result from the freezing of more than $7 billion of the country's assets that are held at the US Federal Reserve. These assets are equivalent to about forty percent of Afghanistan's economy, and about 14 months of imports (which include food, medicine, and other essential goods). Countries need hard currency international reserves to maintain a stable financial system and economy.