Russians+in+Afghanistan

= RUSSIANS IN AFGHANISTAN  = What were the Russians doing in Afghanistan?
 * Russian involvement in Afghanistan traces back to the founding of the communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) in 1965.


 * Party remained minor until April 17, 1978, when Mir Akbar Khyber was assassinated by the Afghani government under President Mohammed Daoud Khan.

Khyber's death was a rallying point for the PDPA.

Led to the Saur Revolution which ousted Khan's government and created a communist Afghanistan.


 * Afghan people were upset with the new communist government. [[image:http://pakistankakhudahafiz.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/_45475285_soviet19894661.jpg width="325" height="196" align="right" caption="Soviet Troops"]]
 * The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 24, 1979 to help stabilize the situation.
 * The Soviet occupation lasted 10 years.

How did Communism find a doorway way into this very God-fearing country?
 * Hafizullah Amin (foreign minister) was initially backed by the Soviet Union


 * Attempted to present Russian presence as a benefit to the Islamic community
 * Methods:
 * Promised more religious freedom
 * Promised to repair mosques
 * Presented copies of Koran to religious groups
 * Using the name of "Allah" in his speeches
 * Essentially declared that the Russian presence was completely based on Islamic priciples
 * Though his attempts were relatively successful, many Afghanistans viewed the Communism policies as too harsh
 * Soviet Union lost faith in Amin's abililty to represent them effectively; were protecting their investment when they invaded Afghanistan and killed Amin

What did the Russians have to gain and why was the United States so interested in keeping Russia out?
 * Russia gave Afghanistan MIGs in order to get closer to Middle East so they could gain oil which would be a big investment.

Who did America side with in order to make this secret mission possible?


 * In the conflict involving Russians in Afghanistan, America sided with the Afghani forces.
 * The US used over 20 billion dollars for training and arming the Afghani’s.
 * The US aided the Mujahideen forces to help defeat Russia, without formally fighting them.
 * These same forces the US financed and trained are the same forces the US is now at war with.
 * Now the US is at war with Afghanistan to help prevent the spread of terrorism within the country.