25 years ago today
Although it has gone largely unnoticed, today marks 25 years since Soviet troops captured Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and killed Hafizullah Amin, the prime minister.
Although Afghanistan had been in political turmoil in the years leading up to the Soviet invasion, it seems likely that it would have continued to play out through local warlords, and would not have elevated to a Cold War proxy if the Soviets hadn't overplayed their hand.
The ensuing USSR/Afghanistan war would lead to the U.S. arming of the Mujahideen resistance, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise to power of the Taliban, and the establishment of al Qaeda.
The Russians aren't the only ones who've been bleeding ever since.
Although Afghanistan had been in political turmoil in the years leading up to the Soviet invasion, it seems likely that it would have continued to play out through local warlords, and would not have elevated to a Cold War proxy if the Soviets hadn't overplayed their hand.
The ensuing USSR/Afghanistan war would lead to the U.S. arming of the Mujahideen resistance, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise to power of the Taliban, and the establishment of al Qaeda.
"The Americans want us to continue fighting but not to win, just to bleed the Russians."- Ismael Khan. Prominent Afghan Commander, who fought against the Russians in Herat.
The Russians aren't the only ones who've been bleeding ever since.
posted by John at 1:37 PM
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