USA Blocks Iran's Application to the World Trade Organization:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1320000/1320334.stm

Some very familiar flag-burning demonstrations, etc, etc. Interestingly Iran supplied weapons to Afghanistan's Northern Alliance for the past decade, and supports China's application to the WTO (approved yesterday). They also support a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to China. On friday the Northern Alliance captured the town Mazar-e Sharif and is sweeping westward toward Turkmenistan and Iran borders. This move will mean that trade routes from these countries (including a pipeline corridor) to either China or Pakistan can bypass Taliban-controlled land.

Whether the Northern Alliance conquers all of Afghanistan or not it will become a more prosperous nation because of these trade routes. And especially if it builds the pipeline.