Russians+in+Afghanistan

﻿ ﻿ Sean Fanning and Josh Eckerd __ Russians in Afghanistan __

__﻿__
 * __ What was the Cold War? __**

The "Cold War" was a long period of indirect fighting between the United States and the Soviet Union. Rather than fight each other (as they were afraid to), they instead resorted to playing sides of other conflicts in the world, and using words as weapons. __** Why Were They There? **__ Amin rejected Muslim traditions within the country.
 * Prime Minister Hazifullah
 * He tried to instill Communist culture, angering citizens.
 * This outrage formed the Mujahideen, a guerilla force to return Islam religion to the government.


 * United States funded Mujahideen due to their anti-communist beliefs.
 * Amin called the Soviet Union on Christmas Day for support.
 * They agreed to support on the potential of a communist government.

__**Why Were We There? **__
 * Six months before the Soviet deployment, U.S. intelligent services began providing financial aid to the rebel factions in Afghanistan, hoping Communist control would not become permanent.
 * July 3rd, President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order allowing the CIA to conduct covert operations against the Communist regime.
 * Dubbed "Operation Cyclone", the CIA and SAS trained Afghani to fight against the Russians.
 * The United States did not want the Soviets to spread their Communist influence.
 * No U.S soldier or official ever stepped foot on Afghanistan soil.
 * Afghans were trained at CIA headquarters.



__** The Effect of the Invasion **__
 * __ The War __**
 * The Russo-Afghan War lasted approximately 9 years: 1979-1988.
 * Strengths of the Soviets: Allied with Afghan army, used land mines, and took control of key areas.
 * Strengths of the Mujahideen: Funds and armaments from the U.S, superior numbers.
 * Mujahideen had about 90 thousand more soldiers than the Soviets.
 * Many citizens joined the Mujahideen to drive Russians out.
 * Weaknesses of the Soviets: They were not ready for counter-terrorism, and did not know the territory.
 * Army boots lasted 10 days before succumbing to the mountainous terrain.
 * Troop morale was horrible.
 * Even Russian soldiers deserted to join Mujahideen.
 * Weaknesses of the Mujahideen: Inferior training.
 * The Mujahideen were used to Afghanistan's harsh environment.
 * 5 million Afghani civilians emigrated to Iran and Pakistan to avoid Soviet oppression.
 * Soviets would slaughter unarmed citizens in retaliation to guerilla attacks.
 * Extremist faction of Muslims emerged.
 * Viewed non-Muslims as non-believers.
 * Tactics were associated with terrorism. [[image:cac-ib-geography:000a4f72.jpg width="388" height="257" align="right"]]
 * Used training and funds from the U.S to become effective.
 * Known today as the Taliban.

[] [] [] []