Afghanistan
The USSR gained control of Afghanistan in 1979, after Soviet forces invaded and put a puppet regime in place. The Soviets used Afghanistan as a buffer state in order to maintain the geopolitical balance in the Middle East. The US viewed these actions as violations of International Law, and took military action in order to expel Soviet forces from Afghanistan. |
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The Soviet’s remained adamant on their position, and conflict ensued between Soviet troops and the Mujahideen forces in Afghanistan and its allies. The United States, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia provided military assistance to the Mujahideen.
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President Carter took immediate action to repel the Soviet invasion by placing an embargo on trade with the USSR, asked permission to increase US defense spending, supported a new draft registration program, created rapid-deployment forces to quickly react to conflicts in third world countries, and even went so far as to try to boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Mujahideen forces in Afghanistan also made serious efforts to repel the Soviet invasion.
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After ten years of war, the Soviets were finally expelled by mujahideen and US forces. However, the costs of the war were high. The Afghan population had suffered many casualties, millions had fled the war-torn nation and sought refuge in Pakistan and Iran, vital irrigation systems were destroyed in bombings, and the economy was severely hurt by war expenses.
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This conflict had long-term effects that can still be seen today. This long period of violence had invigorated terrorism, and a new terrorist network emerged in the form of terrorist groups such as the Taliban and al Qaeda. Terrorism had become much more dangerous, as the arms that were supplied to the mujahideen forces by its allies were now being used by terrorists. The Taliban has become an oppressive movement in Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden of al Qaeda was the mastermind behind the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.
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