But
1) On the very rough sight this has leaded to Americans are being killed in Afganistan

To make a close look:

2) Reigan interrupt Soviet fight against very first islamic hit: so-called "invasion" was the answer on many (above 10) request of Afganistan goverment to help against the rebels from Iran and Pakistan invasion - you remeber 1978 was the year of Islamic revolution.

3) Soviets were not defeated. There was an aim before troops: to defend government and supply goods. And this aim was achived. Naghibulla government fell just two years after the soviet troops had leaved that country and just because Gorbachev-the-Judas betrayed Afganistan government.

4) You can say: "but Russian killed handreds thousands of afganies". Alas, the massacre started after Reigan had supported Packistan (and probably Iran). Before 1982 Soviet troops almost has no any looses. About one hundred killed per year. Afganistan become the field where US (and China, and Packistan and many Europians) fighted against USSR.

Dude!! Y'all dont still believe the USSR was in Afghanistan to protect their government do you?

2) Reigan interrupt Soviet fight against very first islamic hit: so-called "invasion" was the answer on many (above 10) request of Afganistan goverment to help against the rebels from Iran and Pakistan invasion - you remeber 1978 was the year of Islamic revolution.

Not surprise. Too few people know about what was going on in Afganistan in 1978-1979.

The very first question "What do you know about the April revolution in Aganistan?" as usual shows what a man has no other idea but stupid fare-tale "Russian monsters leaded by their bloody leaders came to kill peaceful afgany farmers". Even it is hard to imagine what these rocks can be needed for.

The Soviet Union’s Decision to Invade Afghanistan
On December 27, 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan with 100,000 troops. An event that caused condemnation around the world, President Jimmy Carter to boycott the 1980 Olympic Games, and was a major contribution to the collapse of the Soviet Union 10 years later. Rosanne Klass, who has been observing events and written extensively about Pakistan and Afghanistan states, “the Kremlin claimed that it was merely assisting the Afghan government to resist attacks by “gangs” heavily financed and armed by the United States and China” (Klass 99). Although Afghanistan had been experiencing instability for months prior to the invasion, it was the Afghan people’s fierce resistance to soviet doctrines and policies to establish a pro-soviet regime in control of the country and ensure a buffer state between them and the western dominated Indian sub-continent which caused the Soviets to invaded. Amin Saikal, a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the Australian National University, and a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow states, “It [the Soviet Union] had originally invaded Afghanistan in late December 1979 to reconstitute the minute and unpopular pro-Soviet government of the peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) which had seized state power in a bloody coup twenty months earlier” (Saikal 165). We must understand the history of the region and the involvement of all the players, as far back as the early 1800’s to comprehend the reason fully, and this is where I will start.
An Associate Professor of Political Science at the State University of New York at Genesco, Edward Drachman notes, Afghanistan was contested by both Great Britain and Russia as far back as the early 1800’s. Afghanistan originally asked for help from the Tsar of Russia in the 1830’s to help expel the British, but the British gained political control over the country in 1857. When the communists came to power in Russia, they signed a treaty of friendship Afghanistan in 1921, and a non-aggression treaty in 1926 (Drachman, et al. 215).
After three Anglo-Russian wars in Afghanistan and many years of suffering, mistrust of Russia and Britain, and their wish for modernization, prompted the King Amanullah Khan, who had succeeded his father in 1919, and had maneuvered for Afghanistan’s independence from Britain, to seek aid from the United States. However, according to Amin Saikal, “a relatively isolationist Washington at the time was not interested. It continued to treat Afghanistan as within the British Sphere of influence and not worthy of American attention” (Saikal 169). This caused Afghanistan to turn towards the Russia for help, because the Russians had been the first to recognize their independence while Britain had still not accepted their sovereignty. World war one had brought an uneasy alliance between the two powers in their common struggle with Germany. The Russians saw this, as an opportunity to create a friendship with the Afghan government and the British were not eager to object. According to Amin Saikal, “The real value for the Russian’s lay in the way they could use the country to extract concessions from the British elsewhere in the wider arena of the two powers competition from China to Ottoman Turkey” (Saikal 166).
After world war two, when the British government began to pull out of the Indian Sub-Continent completely a power vacuum opened and the Russians saw an even bigger opening for influence in the Area. However, the United States quickly stepped up to fill this gap and to stop the Soviet Union’s encroachment into the area. The Russians had already annexed by force Turkestan, creating five Soviet Republics, which worried the British, and Americans that Afghanistan would be next. The redrawing of borders by the British during their colonization of the region had already created instability through out the region, and even though there was no real economic value or mineral resources in Afghanistan, according to Rosemary Foot a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sussex, “it has been argued that Afghanistan is being used as a “Trojan Horse” to facilitate the Soviet Union’s access to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and at the same time, to irretrievably weaken China’s main ally in the area Pakistan” (Foot 55), and the major powers wished to create a buffer state out of the country.
With the American’s, anti-communist policies and their development of oil and natural gas in the region the Soviets felt even more pressure to develop a friendly government in Afghanistan. Even more so when Mohammed Daoud became the prime minister of Afghanistan and the Afghans once again looked towards the United States for aid, but according to Amin Saikal, “in 1954 Washington refused Daoud’s request to supply military aid and to play a positive role in resolving the Afghan-Pakistan dispute” (Saikal 171). The reasons given by America were the same as in the early 1900’s, but also included Afghanistan’s refusal to abandon their stance of neutrality with Communist Russia.
This worried Russia that Afghanistan would look to the United States for help, especially military help, and when the United States refused to help the Afghan Government, Russia became more involved in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, both economically and militarily, assisting with the infrastructure of the country, and providing training and weapons to the Afghan military. Rosemary Foot, a lecturer at the University of Sussex reports, “in terms of per capita aid, between 1955 and 1970 Moscow gave Kabul more funds than to any other state” (Foot 56). Now with Russian influence deeply embedded in Afghanistan’s economy and military affairs the Soviet Union’s attempt to influence Afghan politics events began to accelerate.
Amin Saikal notes, throughout the 60’s several political changes occurred in Afghanistan. In 1963, Daoud resigned due to political differences with the King and when the King began to experiment with western style democracy, the Soviets became worried again. Two pro-Soviet political groups emerged along with the other political groups in Afghanistan. Even though these groups had serious differences, the Soviets hoped they would unite and counter the attempts at democratic reform (Saikal 72).
In the 70’s there were two coups, the first was a bloodless coup, which occurred in July 1973. Prince Mohammed Daoud, who the West considered as pro-Soviet, initiated it, and placed himself in power of Afghanistan. At first, the Russians were pleased, but soon he began to reduce the Soviet’s influence in his country, he criticized Soviet Policies, removed and assassinated Generals that were pro-Soviet from the Afghan military, and attempted to make friends with Western allies in neighboring countries. The second coup, initiated by the military in April 1978 with the help of thousands of Russian military advisors, resulted in the assassination of Daoud, and placed Nur Mohammed Taraki in power. Taraki was the leader of the Khalag party and his nemesis Babrak Karmal, leader of the other pro-soviet party, Parcham (PDPA) was sent to Prague as an Ambassador signaling a truce between the previously opposing parties. The Soviets were now happy, but this was short lived, because policies initiated by Taraki were very unpopular and the country was soon in the midst of a civil war. Then in 1979 in an attempt to assassinate his greatest rival and biggest critic, Hafizullah Amin, the tables were turned and Amin assassinated Taraki instead, placing himself in power of the country, and causing renewed worry in the Soviet Union. Edward Drachman says, “according to Anatoly Dobrynin, at the time Soviet Ambassador to the United States, the KGB distrusted Amin and even considered him a CIA agent (Drachman, et al. 217).
According to Roseanne Klass, in December 1979, after Amin tried to contact the American allied Pakistan government the Soviet Union invaded, killing Amin and placing into power Babrak Karmal, claiming they were only helping the Afghan government at its request to put down resistance by groups armed and trained by the Chinese and Americans. However, the uprisings had started earlier in April 1978 with the communist coup that had placed the unpopular pro-soviet Taraki in power and this only enraged the Afghans further (Klass 99). The Americans subsequent funding and supply of weapons to the guerillas was the beginning of the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the disastrous military campaign that followed played a big part in the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A history of domination by the British and Tsarist Russia going back to the early nineteenth century and the cold war between the superpowers that emerged at the end of World War Two culminated in Soviet invasion. The aggressive Soviet Policies are the final act, but there are many other chapters to the book. The British policies of empire building, and the American government’s policy of anti-Soviet rhetoric around the World, can also be assigned fault. All parties involved must share blame in this tragic event, but the losers are clearly the Afghan people. I wonder, but I guess we will never know what would have been the ending to this story if the American Government had helped the Afghan government either in 1919 or later in 1954.
This is just more proof to me that our policies around the world are not working and we need to take a new direction towards dealing with third world countries.


Works Cited
Drachman, Edward R., et al. “President Carter’s Decision to Boycott the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow.” Presidents and Foreign Policy: Countdown to Ten Controversial Decisions. SUNY Series in Leadership Studies. Albany State University of New York Press, 1997. 215-221. Net Library-Online Reader: BRCC Library, Flat Rock, N.C.. 18 March 2007 < http://web.netlibrary.com/Reader/Tools/EbookDetails.aspx>.
Foot, Rosemary. “The Changing Pattern of Afghanistan’s Relations with its Neighbors.” Asian Affairs 11.1 (February 1980): 55-63. Military and Government Collection. EBSCO. BRCC Library, Flat Rock, N.C.. 14 March 2007 <http://web.ebscohost.com>.
Klass, Rosanne T.. “Mr. Brezhnev’s Doctrine.” National Review 32.2 (25 January 1980): 99-100. Military and Government Collection. EBSCO. BRCC Library, Flat Rock, N.C.. 17 March 2007 <http://web.ebscohost.com>.
Saikal, Amin. “Russia and Afghanistan: A Turning Point.” Asian Affairs 20.2 (June 1989): 165-183. Military and Government Collection. EBSCO. BRCC Library, Flat Rock, N.C.. 15 March 2007 <http://web.ebscohost.com>.

Culture Shock might be hard!

April 28, 1978 People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan take over government in a military coup killing the Prime Minister and his family.

Amin replaces pro-Moscow Noor Mohammed Taraki as leader.

New leader Amin refused Soviet assistance in putting down rebellion in country side by conservative, traditional Afghans.

Soviets land in Afghanistan killing Amin, and some of his relatives, replacing him with pro-Soviet Kamal. Kamal's first broadcast to his nation made from a Russian radio station.

With Kabul and Bagram secured Soviet ground troops move in.

Afghan army in Pule-Charkhi Army Headquarters refuse to allow Soviets access, killing their Soviet advisors. Soviet ground forces surround HQ with tanks.




Hmmmm. Seems to me that a government refusing military aid and being replaced by force with a friendlier one is an invasion not assistance.

The fact that the new 'leader' made his broadcast from Russian radio station leads to believe that it was all well planned.

Refusal to allow access to militatry compound and kill advisors of the invading force certainly makes it seem that the 'assistance' was not wanted.

Note: there were also skirmishes in Kabul against the Soviet troops.

Also Russians found best way to keep Kabul quiet was to destroy the surrounding villages. These were razed to the ground.

Culture shock is going to set in on him shortly Karma.

Next he'll tell us they built the wall to keep us out!!

Or the Russian gov will block him access to JSH

But the US believes its in there doing it, so why not the Soviets?

My paper gives blame to all 3 of us Belushi. Russia, Britain, and the US.

Whats happening there now is because the dumb asses were stupid enough to attack the World Trade Center!
If we could get Bush to leave Iraq alone we could straighten Afghanistan out.

They did!!!





1978 may have been the year of Islamic Revolution in places like Iran. But in Afghanistan it was the year of the Communist coup. To state that the Soviet Union was responding to a call for assistance from the government of another nation is ridiculous.

A Marxist coup took control of a nation. The 'leader' favored by those in Soviet Union was removed from power. All military 'assistance' was refused. The Soviets went in for payback and to put their puppet in power. It's that simple.

Seeing as how the areas around Kabul and Bagram were destroyed to ensure a quiet zone around these towns then I would have to say that Soviet atrocities began before aid arrived for the Muj.

A good movie on this subject is 'The Beast of War'.

Funny, it was made in 1988 during the Cold War.

American audiences would have cheered the Afghan resistance (mujahadeen) against the Russians, even though Osama Bin Laden came from this group.

We can all thank Ronald Reagan for strengthening the Afghans.

http://www.democracynow.org/2004/6/10/ghost_wars_how_reagan_armed_the

Excerpt:

'During Reagan’s 8 years in power, the CIA secretly sent
billions of dollars of military aid to the mujahedeen in
Afghanistan in a US-supported jihad against the Soviet Union.'

Did you read my post karma?

Yup.


Sometimes simple is better.

The Russians built the wall to keep the East Europeans in.
Not to keep us out brother!

A lot of Republicans get all dewy-eyed whenever Ronald Reagan's name gets mentioned.

Ronald Reagan wasn't that good a President.

The Iran-Contra scandal and other shenanigans happened during his watch.

You dont reckon we caused him trouble do you?

It is not good sign the article started from skipping all what was going in the previous year and half.

I hate propaganda.



This statement is obviously not truth. The gangs appeared in Afganistan at the end of 1978. United States and China joined to them in 80's.



It is absolutely lie. Though very common even among many russians.

The simplest objection is what the ultimate condition to provide any help (first it was civilian help) to Karmal' was "to stop any pseudo-socialistic reforms started by new Afgany government". You can read it in the orginal documents stolen by Bukowsky (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS256US256&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=bukowski+archive&spell=1)


Soviet Union was absolutely happy with former Afgany government and was absolutely unaware about April revolution.

The new Afgany government pretended to be "communist" and started "socialistic" reformes which were not supported by people and gave opportunity for iran (on south) and pakistan (east) Islamic rebels to infiltrate in Afganistan.

And so on... Soviet union refused many times to help Karmal until he was carrying on with its "socialism course".

But close to the end of 1979 the situations become very dangerous: south of the soviet union has very week border (like between Texas and Mexico some years ago), it populated of the same nations, so to allow islamic rebels get power in Afganistam leaded to the war would cross the border. And the 90'th prooved that. The war in Taghikistan (former SU), Sep,11, taliban - now you can see -- communist were not so stupid as we used to think.



You can't imagine how many stupidness i've read from these idiots which get spent american tax-payers money about Soviet Union and Russia.

Don't believe them. At all. Never. Most of these "professors" are just jewish which fraud US government for sake of green-card.

Always ask for documents. Originals of the documents. And you will be extremely surprised the world of lie you are living in.

Americans are too naive to believe everybody who wants their money and citizenship.

be prepared to it. I'm going to say what there's no "millons killed by stallin" - the exact number is about 600000 for 27 yeay, and number of prisoners in the SU per 1000 was lower than in US all the time.

And there are many-many myths about Russia/SU all other the world.

To be honesty you make me half laughing half grieving. You said nothing what i have not heard before... And all of this stuff was objected many times.

The reason why this lie has so power because current Russian government and russian oligarchs got their power and money with the help of this lie and they are not able to refuse from it.