Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Iran had an Islamic Revolution in 1979 deposing the Shah of Iran

2. Moscow didn’t want this Islamic fundamentalism to spread across its borders as there were many Muslims living within the USSR.

3. Moscow wanted to ensure a pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan in order to protect its interests.

Narrative account of the invasion:

1. In April 1978, a pro-Soviet government took control in Afghanistan and received economic assistance from Moscow.

2. September 1979, Hafizullah Amin staged a popular coup and toppled the pro-Soviet government.

3. At first Moscow supported him, however, Amin became increasingly unpopular as other pro-Muslim factions tried to overthrow him.

4. When Brezhnev heard rumours that Amin was talking to USA about support, he decided to act. On 24th December 1979, USSR invaded Afghanistan.

5. USSR claimed they invaded in order to support Amin, however, Amin was assassinated on the 27th of December (1979) and replaced by a pro-Soviet leader called Babrak Kamal.

6. USSR remained in Afghanistan for almost 10 years fighting opponents of Kamal.

Consequences of the invasion:

1. USA perceived this invasion as the spread of communism and worked hard to resist it, without becoming directly involved in the conflict.

2. USA trained, armed and funded Muslim guerrilla fighters known as the Mujahedeen spending billions of dollars over the course of the war.

3. USSR spent approx. $8 bn per year on the invasion and cost the lives of 15,000 Soviet troops and civilian casualties of 1.5 million deaths.

4. The USA introduced the Carter Doctrine.

5. US President Carter withdrew from SALT 2 and increased military spending. This formally ended the period of détente.

6. Olympic boycotts of the 1980 Moscow games and 1984 LA games.

Carter Doctrine

1. USA would repel by force any perceived threats to US interests in the Persian Gulf.

2. As a result of the doctrine, Carter imposed economic sanctions on the USSR, refusing to export grain to them and preventing companies from selling computers to the USSR.

3. The USA also sent weapons and billions of dollars to the mujahideen.

4. The Carter doctrine brought to an end the spirit of détente and led to Carter refusing to ratify SALT II. This can be seen as the start of the ‘Second Cold War’.

Olympic Boycotts

1. In protest for the invasion of Afghanistan, USA coordinated a boycott of Moscow 1980 Olympics by over 60 nations.

2. USA athletes were prevented from travelling whilst other nations like UK encouraged their athletes not to go but did not prevent them from going.

3. The success of the boycott demonstrated the power and status of USA in terms of international relations which deeply angered the USSR.

4. This insult served to only deepen the division between East and West and contributed to the start of the Second Cold War.

5. In 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the USSR coordinated a tit for tat boycott resulting in 15 communist states refusing to send their athletes. The USSR organised a rival tournament called the Friendship Games.