CW41+Afghanistan

= Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and its impact =

Afghanistan: a backward, predominantly Muslim country rooted in tribalism. Central government could not exert control over local, fundamentalist warlords. Had remained non-aligned until 1973.

1973 - a coup brought Daoud to power, supported by pro-Russian Marxist group, the “Parcham”. However, Daoud showed independence from Moscow by encouraging business and banking links with the West.

Daoud was overthrown in 1978 by Nur Muhammad Taraki of the Soviet-aligned People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) - ‘April Revolution’

Problems for Taraki: his reform program conflicted with backward, fundamentalist tribal leaders.PDPA was unstable and divided. His personality cult alienated him from tribal Afghanis. New red national flag replaced replaced traditional Islamic green flag.

Local uprisings began throughout the country. Taraki signed Friendship Agreement with USSR in Dec 1978 which brought Soviet advisers and arms against the rebels. Instability increased.

July 1979, Carter agreed to covert aid to anti-Soviet rebels.

Taraki was in conflict with his Foreign Minister, Hafizullah Amin. In Sept 1979, he attempted to have him killed but failed. He lost the support of the army and was arrested. Amin took power and Taraki was killed in custody.

The Soviets were suspicious of Amin’s links with the USA. Amin did not trust the Soviets, believing that they were involved in Taraki’s attempt to kill him. The Soviets prepared for invasion to remove Amin. Having supported the coup in 1978, they were not going to allow a US-influenced leader to take control.


 * Invasion**: 26 December 1979, elite Soviet troops within Afghanistan stormed the presidential palace and killed Amin and all others there. 27 December, Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. Excuse: to protect Afghanistan from external aggression and interference. Pro-Soviet leader, Karmal, installed in Afghanistan. January 1980, 50,000 troops in Afghanistan. Provoked international fears of a threat to world peace.


 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Evstafiev-afghan-apc-passes-russian.jpg width="420" height="278" align="right" caption="Soviet troops (on right) withdraw from Afghanistan 1988"]]Impact**:
 * End of détente.
 * First Soviet intervention outside of Europe (except for Iran 1946). Brought fear of growing Soviet expansionism, and possible acquisition of warm-water port in Persian Gulf, threatening oil supplies.
 * Carter Doctrine: “Any attempt by an outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America...”
 * US action: US did not ratify SALT II; grain embargo to USSR; boycott of 1980 Olympics; improved relations with China; “virtual dismantling of the entire set of American-Soviet relations developed over a decade of détente.” (Garthoff 1999)
 * US provided aid and supplies to anti-Soviet Mujahidin in Afghanistan - $2 billion over ten years. The Soviets interpreted US reaction as a sign of their desire to renew the arms race and take an aggressive anti-Soviet line in international affairs.
 * Afghanistan became the Soviet Union’s Vietnam: an unwinnable and expensive quagmire. The war lasted for 10 years; cost nearly 14,000 Russian lives; over 100,000 Soviet troops in Afghanistan by mid-1980s. Gorbachev continued the war after 1985. According to Matlock (2004) it was the biggest mistake of his career; despite his new ideas of glasnost and perestroika, he was still beholden to the old thinking of the Brezhnev Doctrine. However, Fitzgerald (2000) argues that he did try to end the war but there were practical problems: it would be a humiliation; could lead to hostile Muslim regime in Kabul which could destabilise Soviet Muslim republics (the ‘Stans’). Gorbachev replaced Karmal with Najibullah in 1986. Feb 1988 announced withdrawal beginning in May. In April, USSR, USA, Pakistan and Afghanistan sign an agreement on the withdrawal. Last troops left in Feb 1989.