The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 24 1979 under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty. The treaty was signed in 1978 and the two countries agreed to provide economic and military assistance.

What was the main cause of the Afghanistan war?

The United States invaded Afghanistan 20 years ago in response to terrorism, and many worry that Al Qaeda and other radical groups will again find safe haven there. On Aug. 26, deadly explosions outside Afghanistan’s main airport claimed by the Islamic State demonstrated that terrorists remain a threat.

Which are the objectives of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979?

It was widely believed in the US at the time that the Soviet forces moved into Afghanistan in 1979 with the ultimate motive of capturing oil of the Persian Gulf. The economic realities of the second half of the 20th century [ie, oil] had added a new dimension to Russia’s age old quest for a warm water port in the gulf.

When did Afghanistan war end?

Why did the mujahedeen receive US support even though they were against some American ideals? The mujahedeen wanted to establish an Afghan democracy. The mujahedeen promised to protect U.S. oil interests.

What did the Soviet Union and its allies want during the Soviet Afghan war?

In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to protect the communist government. Nearly 100,000 Soviet soldiers took control of major cities in Afghanistan. Motivated by a policy of ​containment​, the United States and its European allies supported the mujahideen against the Soviets.

How did the Soviet Afghan war impact the Soviet Union?

The war impacted Soviet politics in four reinforcing ways: (1) Perception effects: it changed the perceptions of leaders about the efficacy of using the military to hold the empire together and to intervene in foreign countries; (2) Military effects: it discredited the Red Army, created cleavage between the party and

Who won the Afghan war?

The war ended with the Taliban regaining power after a 19 years and 10 months-long insurgency against allied NATO and Afghan Armed Forces. It was the longest war in United States history, surpassing the Vietnam War (1955–1975) by approximately five months.

What’s the longest war in history?

The longest continual war in history was the Iberian Religious War, between the Catholic Spanish Empire and the Moors living in what is today Morocco and Algeria. The conflict, known as the “Reconquista,” spanned 781 years — more than three times as long as the United States has existed.

Why is Afghanistan important to the world?

Afghanistan produces 90% of the world’s opium and is also a leading hashish producer. Afghanistan is the source of several major regional rivers flowing into water-scarce neighbouring countries. Afghan water infrastructure projects have produced strong diplomatic protests from neighbouring countries.

What were the mujahideen fighting for?

mujahideen, Arabic mujāhidūn, members of a number of guerrilla groups operating in Afghanistan during the Afghan War (1978–92) that opposed the invading Soviet forces and eventually toppled the Afghan communist government. The roots of the Afghan War lay in the overthrow of the centrist government of Pres.

Why did Soviet Union invade Afghanistan Reddit?

The Soviets intervened in part because the government they had propped up was failing. These were, at least in theory, fellow Marxists, and they could not be ignored. A quick aside on the communists in Afghanistan, their political views were quite unsophisticated.

Did the US fund Osama bin Laden?

During the anti-Soviet war Bin Laden and his fighters received American and Saudi funding. Some analysts believe Bin Laden himself had security training from the CIA.