Perhaps we could learn from the Israeli's experience of plonking new settlements in the middle of nowhere?
Nowhere? There were/are real live families, olive trees living there: they're called Palestinians. Here's some insight into your "nowhere":
Concerns over olive harvest increase for families under threat of settlers :: www.uruknet.info :: informazione dall'Iraq occupato :: news from occupied Iraq :: [vs-1]
As for "settlements" in Afghanistan, they're called "forward operating bases" that would more perfectly ape the Israeli model if their populations were given farm tools and a few bags of fertilizer -- that's what the PLA does for hardship posts in China and the installations become self-sufficient for food.
And kebab is as tasty as falafel.
Oy vey... think again!