Prof. Dr. Florian Kühn, co-coordinator of our research network Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions, was interviewed about the growing trade in crystals from Afghanistan as part of a recent report on Swedish public television SVT Nyheter.
Kühn, who is a senior lecturer in peace and conflict research at the University of Gothenburg and conducts research on the Taliban, explains in the interview the possible links between the international crystal trade and the Taliban’s sources of income. Healing stones are particularly popular in Sweden – with potentially far-reaching geopolitical consequences.
According to Kühn, it is likely that many of the crystals sold come from Afghanistan. Even if the origin cannot always be clearly proven, it cannot be ruled out that the Taliban are indirectly benefiting from this trade route. Rising global demand could also further boost supply from Afghanistan and mining there.
The interview underlines how social interpretations and everyday practices – such as the spiritual use of crystals – can overlap with political and economic realities. Such interdependencies are part of the complex negotiations of meaning and responsibility that our network also deals with.
You can find the full report on Swedish television here.
