US Involvement In The Soviet-Afghan War

In 1979 the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, an action that the U.S national Security advisor Brzezinski considered, “the greatest threat to peace since WWII.” The Soviets seized control of the government, killed President The U.S involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War began in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter signed on to aid the Afghan rebels in “harassment” of Soviet through secret supplies and light weapons in assistance. The U.S would supply and provide funds to the Mujahedin through the CIA. The U.S funneled more than $2 billion in guns and money. CIA Director, William Casey, also enlisted Pakistan to help promote subversion, through Afghanistan, in the Soviet Muslim republics. In March 1985, President Reagan authorized stepped-up

However, the efforts were futile as the mujahedin proved to be stronger (especially with the Stinger and other powerful and expensive weaponry). The Soviets also increased training and equipping of the Afghan military. Subsequently, unimpressed with the Afghan army, the Soviet advisors criticized them for “poor shooting skills and discipline.” Recognizing the military’s lack of success and unable to obtain a military solution, Gorbachev described the war as a “bleeding wound.” He called for Soviet forces to return home quickly. Gorbachev removed Babrak Karmal as the President and replaced him with Mohammed Najibulah in May of 1986 to point things in the right direction. The Soviet Union began to “Afghanize” the war by turning most of the responsibility for combat operations to the DRA. In late October, the USSR conducted a symbolic withdrawal of six regiments to demonstrate the USSR was disengaging. Searching for a way out, Gorbachev focused on modifying Afghanistan's political policies, while continuing military and economic support. In early 1988, the Soviets had been negotiating behind the scenes with the U.N for a favourable resolution to the war. Gorbachev had announced plans of withdrawal,

However, the efforts were futile as the mujahedin proved to be stronger (especially with the Stinger and other powerful and expensive weaponry). The Soviets also increased training and equipping of the Afghan military. Subsequently, unimpressed with the Afghan army, the Soviet advisors criticized them for “poor shooting skills and discipline.” Recognizing the military’s lack of success and unable to obtain a military solution, Gorbachev described the war as a “bleeding wound.” He called for Soviet forces to return home quickly. Gorbachev removed Babrak Karmal as the President and replaced him with Mohammed Najibulah in May of 1986 to point things in the right direction. The Soviet Union began to “Afghanize” the war by turning most of the responsibility for combat operations to the DRA. In late October, the USSR conducted a symbolic withdrawal of six regiments to demonstrate the USSR was disengaging. Searching for a way out, Gorbachev focused on modifying Afghanistan's political policies, while continuing military and economic support. In early 1988, the Soviets had been negotiating behind the scenes with the U.N for a favourable resolution to the war. Gorbachev had announced plans of withdrawal,