La guerre froide - 7 L'invasion de l'Afghanistan

Summary

The Cold War era saw an easing of tensions between East and West from 1963 to 1979, but the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 ended the détente. The war, which lasted until 1989, involved Soviet troops supporting the communist Afghan regime against Muslim mujahideen fighters backed by the US. The conflict escalated the arms race and marked the start of a new phase in US-Soviet relations. After the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan plunged into civil war, leading to the rise of the Taliban and their harboring of Al-Qaeda. The US attacked the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks, but the conflict lasted for two decades before the Taliban regained control in 2021.

Takeaways

• 😀 The period between 1963 and 1979 marked a period of détente in the Cold War, characterized by reduced tensions and nuclear disarmament agreements.
• 😀 The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 ended this détente, leading to the Cold War's intensification.
• 😀 The war in Afghanistan (1979-1989) was a result of political and geographical factors, including Afghanistan's territorial disputes and the rise of communism in the country.
• 😀 The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the communist regime, but faced resistance from Afghan Muslim fighters called the mujahideen.
• 😀 The U.S. supported the mujahideen by supplying weapons, including Stinger missiles, despite initially avoiding military intervention after the Vietnam War.
• 😀 U.S. involvement in the Afghan conflict increased under President Ronald Reagan, marking the end of the détente and the resumption of the arms race.
• 😀 By 1987, Soviet forces shifted to defensive positions, and the Soviet Union began withdrawing from Afghanistan under Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership in 1988.
• 😀 After the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war, with the mujahideen and foreign Islamist volunteers clashing for control.
• 😀 In 1996, the Taliban emerged as a dominant force in Afghanistan, imposing strict Islamic rule and establishing connections with al-Qaeda.
• 😀 Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. led an invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle the Taliban regime and target al-Qaeda, but despite 20 years of war, the Taliban eventually regained power in 2021.

Q & A

What was the détente period between 1963 and 1979?

The détente period was marked by a reduction in tensions between the East and West during the Cold War. It included diplomatic negotiations, such as a treaty limiting nuclear arms in 1972, and improved relations, including trade and space cooperation between the Eastern and Western blocs.

How did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 impact the détente?

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 ended the détente period, as it intensified Cold War tensions, with the West, particularly the United States, supporting Afghan insurgents (mujahideen) to counter Soviet actions.

What were the key political factors leading to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan was influenced by geopolitical factors, including territorial claims between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the influence of India as a non-aligned power, and the Islamic revolution in Iran. The Afghan communists, having taken power through a coup, faced internal conflicts and opposition from religious groups.

Who were the mujahideen and how did they contribute to the conflict?

The mujahideen were Afghan Muslim fighters who opposed the communist government and Soviet occupation. They engaged in a jihad, a holy war, against the Soviets. They were supported by the United States, which provided military aid, including Stinger missiles, to help them fight Soviet forces.

What role did the United States play in the Soviet-Afghan War?

The United States played a significant indirect role by supplying the mujahideen with weapons and financial support, including Stinger missiles, in an effort to counter Soviet influence in Afghanistan. This support was part of a broader strategy to undermine Soviet power during the Cold War.

How did the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan unfold?

The Soviet Union began withdrawing from Afghanistan in 1987, shifting to defensive positions as Afghan forces fought the mujahideen. By 1988, under Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union officially withdrew, following growing pressure from Russian families and the high casualties suffered by Soviet forces.

What was the outcome of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan?

Following the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan entered a period of civil war, with different factions, including the mujahideen and foreign Islamist volunteers, fighting for control. The Taliban, an Islamist militant group, emerged victorious and took control of much of the country by 1996.

What were the key actions and policies of the Taliban during their rule?

The Taliban, led by Mullah Omar, implemented strict Islamic law, including severe restrictions on women’s rights, such as banning education for girls. They also cultivated opium for the global drug trade, destroyed historical sites like the Bamiyan Buddhas, and provided shelter to al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden.

How did the United States respond to the Taliban's harboring of Osama bin Laden?

Following the 9/11 attacks, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom, targeting the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which had provided refuge to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. The Taliban were ousted from power, and many of their fighters retreated into Afghanistan’s mountainous regions.

What was the outcome of the U.S. and coalition forces' involvement in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021?

Despite 20 years of military involvement, the U.S. and coalition forces were unable to fully eliminate the Taliban. In 2021, the Taliban regained control of Kabul and the country. The war resulted in over $2 trillion in costs, 2,500 American military deaths, and an estimated 50,000 Afghan civilian deaths.