Soviet/Afghan War

When did the Soviet/Afghan War start?

1979

when did the Soviet/Afghan War end?

1989

Explain how the war in Afghanistan was similar to the Vietnam War and the current war taking place in Syria.

Both in Afghanistan and Vietnam, the geographical landscape was used as an advantage. Opposing forces in Vietnam used the rain forest/jungle to their advantages. (see above for Afghanistan). Both the Vietnamese and mujahedin of Afghanistan used guerilla warfare tactics. Both the war in Afghanistan and the Civil War in Syria have resulted in a large number of refugees. A significant portion of the refugees from Afghanistan made their way to Peshawar, Pakistan, while most of the the Syrian refugees have gone to refugee camps in Lebanon.

Describe how the Soviet/Afghan War effected the people of Afghanistan.

Foreign mujahidin would take shelter in rural areas and villages. Soviets bombed villages in rural areas which resulted in the death of many innocent women and children. Also, a large number of refugees traveled to refugee camps in Peshawar, Pakistan.

What kind of military tactics did the Afghans use against the Soviets?

Guerilla Warfare

Jihad

Holy war

What was the turning point of the Soviet/Afghan War?

In 1987, the U.S. supplied the mujahidin with shoulder launched anti-aircraft missiles. This turned the tide of the war. The mujahidin were now able to shoot down Soviet airplanes, helicopters and tanks. The use of these weapons would results in the death of many Soviets and the loss of equipment, vehicles, etc. ($$$)

Describe the geographical landscape of Afghanistan.

Jagged mountain ranges with a complex system of caves and tunnels, road that are difficult and dangerous to travel, also there are not many roads with usually results in there being only one way to get from point A to point B (this is a major advantage to the people of Afghanistan)

Explain the geographical landscape of Afghanistan and why this has been a major disadvantage for nations that have been at war there.

Mujahidin soldiers used the mountains and a complex cave system to the their advantage. Along with this, knowing the "lay of the land" and the limited travel routes were advantages to the mujahidin as well. With Afghan/mujahidin forces using the above advantages along with guerilla warfare tactics, this makes for a huge disadvantage for foreign countries fighting wars in Afghanistan.

Mujahidin

Resistance fighters, freedom fighters, holy warriors. It was the mujahidin that fought in the war against the Soviet Union. (you will see many different spellings for this term)

What was the global reaction of the Soviet/Afghan War?

The Soviet invasion was condemned by many all over the world including the U.S., and the U.N. Many people viewed them as a "school yard bully". Some countries immediately stopped trading with the Soviets and this had a significant effect on their economy. The U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympics in the Soviet Union.

Why were the Soviets forced to pull out of Afghanistan?

They had been in Afghanistan for almost a decade and could not defeat the mujahidin forces. Over 15,000 Soviet soldiers had been killed and in addition they had spent millions of dollars that left their economy in shambles.

How was the United States effected by the results of the Soviet/Afghan War?

This war eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, a portion of the forces that we were funding (mujahidin soldiers of Afghanistan), eventually became members of Al Qaeda.

What were the long term effects of this war on the Soviet Union?

This war left the Soviet Union in horrible economic conditions. Also, the Soviets were know looked at as a military superpower that had invaded a poor and almost defense-less country and had killed a large number of innocent people.

Why did the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan?

To expand their influence (spread Communism) and to protect their interests in Afghanistan (natural resources—oil,coal,iron ore)

Why did the United States intervene in the Soviet/Afghan War?

To prevent the expansion of and influence of the Soviet Union. The Soviet War in Afghanistan was a "Cold War Battleground".

Isolationist

When a country does not get involved in the politics of another country.

Interventionism

getting involved in the politics of another country

Containment (policy)

to prevent something from expanding (Soviet influence and communism)"It is clear that the main element of any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of a long term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Soviet expansive tendencies."

Define Guerilla Warfare

unconventional warfare and combat in which a smaller group of combatants use mobile tactics in the form of ambushes and raids to combat a larger and less mobile formal army. An objective of guerillas is to attack vulnerable targets in enemy territory. The guerillas attack their enemy in small repetitive attacks from the opponent's center of gravity with a view to reducing casualties and becoming an intensive repetitive strain on the enemy's resources.