Exactly.. The reasoning is likely more complicated. The opium trade is a valuable asset to control, but so also is the distribution of the crude from the caspian basin. The control of the flow of oil is highly valuable politically and economically. After all, Afghanistan is right between Iran and other oil producing states, and China and Pakistan. After invading Afghanistan, there are milatary bases literally surrounding most of the main oil producing regions. The conflict in Georgia is most likely the Russian response to control the flow of oil from pipelines into Turkey. Its no surprise that we've been seeing anti-russian sentiment in the media!

And also not forgetting that possession is nine tenths of the law. Once you have possession you can make the law. Once you make the laws you have the potential to do pretty much as you like. Democracy anyone?

L,
Sid.