Soviet-Afghan War

Definition

The Soviet-Afghan War was a conflict that lasted from 1979 to 1989, in which Soviet forces intervened in Afghanistan to support the Marxist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) government against mujahideen rebel groups. This war was a significant event during the Cold War era, with far-reaching implications for the region and global geopolitics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Soviet-Afghan War was triggered by the 1979 Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, which aimed to prop up the communist PDPA government against growing mujahideen insurgency.
2. The mujahideen rebels, supported by the United States, Pakistan, and other countries, waged a successful guerrilla campaign against the Soviet-backed Afghan government, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989.
3. The Soviet-Afghan War resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with estimates ranging from 850,000 to 2 million Afghan civilians killed, and over 14,000 Soviet soldiers killed.
4. The withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989 was a major blow to the Soviet Union, contributing to its eventual collapse and the end of the Cold War.
5. The legacy of the Soviet-Afghan War continues to shape the geopolitics of the region, with the rise of the Taliban and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the United States and other countries in supporting the mujahideen rebels against the Soviet-backed Afghan government during the Soviet-Afghan War.
  • The United States, along with Pakistan and other countries, provided significant support to the mujahideen rebels fighting against the Soviet-backed Afghan government during the Soviet-Afghan War. This support included the provision of weapons, funding, and training, as the United States and its allies sought to undermine Soviet influence in the region and weaken the Soviet Union's global position during the Cold War. The mujahideen's successful guerrilla campaign, bolstered by this external support, ultimately led to the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989, which was a major blow to the Soviet Union and contributed to its eventual collapse.
• Describe the impact of the Soviet-Afghan War on the geopolitics of the region and the broader Cold War dynamics.
  • The Soviet-Afghan War had far-reaching implications for the geopolitics of the region and the broader Cold War dynamics. The withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989 was a significant setback for the Soviet Union, contributing to the weakening of its global influence and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. The war also led to the rise of the Taliban and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, which continues to shape the regional geopolitics. Additionally, the Soviet-Afghan War highlighted the tensions and proxy conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, as the two superpowers vied for influence and control in various parts of the world.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Soviet-Afghan War, particularly in terms of its impact on the stability and development of Afghanistan.
  • The Soviet-Afghan War had profound and lasting consequences for the stability and development of Afghanistan. The conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians, the displacement of millions more, and the destruction of much of the country's infrastructure. The withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989 led to a power vacuum that was filled by various mujahideen factions, eventually leading to the rise of the Taliban and the continuation of conflict in Afghanistan. The legacy of the war continues to shape the country's political, social, and economic landscape, with ongoing challenges in areas such as governance, security, and economic development. The long-term impact of the Soviet-Afghan War has been a major obstacle to the stabilization and progress of Afghanistan, contributing to the country's status as a key geopolitical flashpoint in the region.

Related terms

Mujahideen: Islamic guerrilla fighters who resisted the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, receiving support from the United States, Pakistan, and other countries opposed to Soviet influence in the region.

PDPA (People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan): The Marxist political party that ruled Afghanistan with Soviet support, leading to the Soviet intervention and the subsequent Afghan resistance.

Cold War: The ongoing state of political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies, that shaped global events and dynamics during the latter half of the 20th century.