The ending of Cold War tensions in Asia: Afghanistan

By 1982 the Soviet politburo realised…

it could not win the war in Afghanistan

why was withdrawal in Afghanistan difficult?

having invoked the Brezhnev doctrine the USSR refused to be defeated

what was domestic perception of the war?

The war was highly unpopular & costly

what did Gorbachev think about Afghanistan and the Brezhnev doctrine upon taking office?

Gorbachev thought that he could preserve communism through the end of the Brezhnev doctrine & wanted to remove troops from Afghanistan

what did glasnost mean for Afghanistan?

when Gorbachev introduced glasnost many people criticised the USSRs involvement & the high casualty rates

when did Gorbachev introduce glasnost?

1986

what did Gorbachev believe about US-USSR relations with Afghanistan?

ending the war in Afghanistan would help improve relations with the USA

how was the USA involved in Afghanistan?

supplying weapons to the Afghan mujahadeen guerrilla fighters

what outcome did Gorbachev want for Afghanistan?

a ‘peace with honour’ outcome

when did the process of withdrawal begin?

1988

when were the last Soviet troops out of Afghanistan?

1989