The Soviet Afghan War raged for about nine years during the 1980's and took place exclusively in Afghanistan. The war was fought between the Afghan government which was supported by the Soviets and a group of Afghan rebels known as the Mujahideen. In 1979 with the help of the Soviet Union, a new communist government was installed in Afghanistan. This new government was widely unliked by the Afghan people because it contradicted the muslim faith. At the time, US President Jimmy Carter was still trying to fight the war on communism. The Mujahideen quickly gained US support in the form of money and arms. By the late 1980's it was becoming clear that the Soviet backed Afghan government was losing war. When Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union, he sought to end the war in Afghanistan. By 1989, the soviets had withdrew all of their troops and the war was officially over.
"The implications of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan could pose the most serious threat to the peace since the Second World War. The vast majority of nations on Earth have condemned this latest Soviet attempt to extend its colonial domination of others and have demanded the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops. The Moslem world is especially and justifiably outraged by this aggression against an Islamic people." |
Mujahideen PropagandaPropaganda played an important role in mobilizing Afghan citizens to join the opposition against the Soviet back Afghan government.
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HOW THE Soviet Afghan War CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAR ON TERROR
Although the United States was not directly involved in this war, they did play a vital part in helping the Mujahideen succeed in winning the war. By supplying the rebels with arms, the United States was again aiding in the war against communism. This was another classic cold war battle between the United States and the Soviet Union. However while fighting in the war against communism, the United States also created an enemy with Afghan government. The United States' role in this war hurt their relationship with the people of the Middle East.