AFGHANISTAN When help is way too much
Date 27 December 1979 – 15 February 1989 Fighting sides Soviet Army vs. Mujahedeen (Islamic radicals) Casualties Soviet-14, 453 Killed, 53, 753 Wounded Afghans - Casualties: 150, 000– 180, 000 total
Background 1979 Iran revolution led to US loosing its power base in Close East 1978 – Communist republic of Afghanistan formed BUT 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Soviet-affiliated Egypt – in favor of USA The turn of decades was a time to show who should master over Middle East countries and their resourses
Soviet-afghan relationships Long lasted military help throughout 20 th cent Afghan was seen as a buffer between Soviet Union and US allies in Middle East (Pakistan, Iran, Israel, Syria etc) As early as Communist Party (PDPA) was formed it received both military and monetary help from Soviet Union Pre-war treaty, signed in December 1978, allowed the PDPA to call upon the Soviet Union for military support
Beginning of the end After seizing the power Communist government tried some radical reforms aimed at quicker modernization of society (against traditional Islamic values, against religious leaders yet) Simple people revolved against such misdeeds Afghan government demand military help from USSR (while rebels enjoyed help from USA)
Special commission in Moscow upon studying matter closer decided that current president Hafizullah Amin was a center of unrest no man, no problem On 27 th of December 1979 in a result of secret military operation Amin was assassinated and soviet Alpha-group took control over Kabul, country’s capital
occupation Soviets were never welcomed by simple Afghans as their were associated with antiislam reforms and anti-afghan forces Soviets controlled cities but Afghanistan was a rural country National conflict quickly grew to international chess play between Soviet Union and US sponsored mujahedeen
Cost of war USSR wasn’t ready to long (stalemate) war as it took more and more of country's resources While remain strong development of nuke arsenal and submarines USSR apparently failed to modernize its land-based support – most of tanks weren’t ready for combat in desert MOREOVER war was seen as something unnatural by population – without clear goal, justified cause, clear commentary from media and powers
results USSR was seen as an aggressor and it helped USA to put an embargo (trade ban) over Soviet Union Stagnating Soviet economy wasn’t ready for a long-lasting conflict that demanded more and more sources Simple soviet citizens lost faith in powers communist party lost its support