In the winter of 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to induct a new regime to solidify Afghanistan as an ally on the southern border, this action did not come without controversy. The United States of America was a main proponent of objecting to this invasion, by supporting a collection of Muslim rebels, the Mujahideen, to rise against the nation. Conflict consumed Afghanistan resulting in numerous civilian deaths and an enormous refugee crisis, and the future remains uncertain.
The USSR reports that the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the communist Afghan government during a conflict with anti-communist Muslim guerillas. The guerilla fighters were insurgents trying to disrupt the Afghani government, the USSR invaded Afghanistan to help support the nation’s communist government from violent insurrectionists. Additionally, Afghanistan holds a location of strategic importance to the Soviet Union. During Russia’s past as a Tsarist monarchy, the nation had to fight numerous wars to secure its borders from British invasion through the middle east. Furthermore, the “Soviet Union is facing a financial burden from the conflict” the Minister of Finances in the USSR cabinet reports. However, Russia currently has no plans to retreat from Afghanistan.
The U.S. directly opposes the Soviet Union’s plan to invade Afghanistan by publicly selling military equipment to the Mujahidin, freezing arms talks with the USSR, cutting wheat sales (a primary crop of the USSR), and even boycotting the 1980 Olympic Games. America provides arms and other assistance to the “freedom fighters” in Afghanistan rebelling against the communist Afghan government. However, the USA has a plan to “create a program to help nations join NATO and utilize Article 5 [of NATO] against Afghanistan” a representative of the U.S. in the United Nations Security Council reported. Additionally, President Ronald Reagan of the U.S. labelled Afghanistan as “Russia’s Vietnam” and will counter the Soviet Union at all steps.
This proxy conflict is occurring in Afghanistan, involving the USSR, with forceful opposition from the U.S. The conflict is growing in regional and national importance, leading to the involvement of the Arab League. The Mujahideen resistance fights see the “Soviets controlling Afghanistan as a defilement of Islam, tradition, and culture” Qatar in the Arab League states.
Tensions between the USSR and the U.S. are escalating, The world looks on at an ideological battle between democracy and communism. Le Monde will continue its investigation into the conflict.
