By Khalil Ahmed

Afghanistan Independence Overview

Afghanistan remained neutral during World War II WWII Resists influence from the U.S. and Soviet Union during the beginning of the Cold War

General Overview of War

Began in 1979 when the Soviets Invaded Afghanistan Afghan carried out guerrilla warfare that ultimately drives Soviet out Ended in stalemate Soviet forced to withdraw Ceasefire: 1988 Soviet withdraw: 1989

Long Term Causes

Soviet trying to spread communism to neighboring Wanted to create friendly eastern states Would open up trade with Asian nations Maxis government in Afghanistan is being opposed by majority of Afghans.

Short Term Causes

1978 Marxist government placed in Afghanistan by PDPA (Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan)
Actions were unpopular with the conservative Afghans Saw the Marxist ideals as a threat to the Afghan religion and customs

Soviets wanted to maintain the Communist government invaded in 1979 to intervene

Reasons of Soviet Invasion

Wished to expand their influence in Asia Preserve the Communist government that had been established in the 1970s To free the communism living in Afghanistan Soviets wanted to protect their interests in Afghanistan from Iran and western nations

Soviet Motivations
Successful invasion of Afghanistan allow puppet state set up through control of Kabul Geographic benefits 1. Access of Indian ocean through India 2. Trade with India and its large population 3. Natural sources: Iron ore, natural gas, uranium, copper

Soviet Solders in Kabul

Afghan Motivations/Perceptions
Majority were Muslims conflicting with the atheist teaching of Communism Saw the Soviets invasions as a threat to their culture and religion-engage in Jihad.
Afghan Mujahidin

Mujahidin
Afghan resistance fighters against Soviet controlled Kabul government Made up of seven political organizations in Afghanistan

Mujahidin Solders

Mujahidin
Originally divided by regional, sectarian, political and tribal ties. Not very united at the beginning of Soviet Invasio0n Organized in local tribal militias. No central structure March 1980 formed Islamic Alliance for the for the Liberation of Afghanistan for International recognization and support Mujahedeen forces caused serious casualties to the Soviet forces

Taliban
Mujahidin unable to unite together politically
Results in many political divisions that give rise to the Taliban

Foreign Aid
Interlay trained/funded by Pakistans Inter-service Intelligence (ISI) Later supported by US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Iran, PRC (China) and Sunni nations. 1983- US, UK, Saudi Arabia, PRC become supporters for Afghanistan Weapon Supplied through Pakistan 1986- US and UK supplied missiles an ground to ground rockets that allowed Mujahidin to shoot down Soviet aircrafts

Short Term Effects (Afghans)

1 Million Afghan died 5 million Afghan (refugees) fled to neighboring countries (mainly Pakistan) Afghan destabilized

Short Term Effects (Soviet)

14, 000 Soviet soldiers killed Soviet lost 1000 pieces of equipment and 450 aircrafts Soviet Causalities = 50, 000

Long Term Effects (Soviet)

Costed Soviet Union billions of dollars of debt which severely weakened the Soviet Union Contributed to the fall of Soviet Union Soviets lose power in central Asia Soviet authorities became questioned by its people which weakened their empire.

Long Term Effects (Afghan)

Afghanistan torn economically and politically Afghanistan is brought to a state of civil unrest (event today) Unstable Afghanistan becomes a spot to harbor terrorist groups like the Taliban U.S. diverted Communism in Afghanistan Land wasted

1987 Soviets Withdraw

New Soviet regime led by Mikhail Gorbachev orders a withdrawal of troops
He acknowledged that the war was a devastating cost to both the Soviets and Afghans

The last troops left in Feb 1989

Soviet Troops Leaving Afghanistan 1989

Long Term effects (Pakistan)

After Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, more than 2.8 million Afghan refugees sought shelter in Pakistan extra burden on the economy of our country Afghan immigrants have no documentation so becomes Criminal Most of the drug dealers, illegal arms dealer, car lifters, or smugglers are Afghan refugees The trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan has also been affected Trade Route Torkham Jalalabad highway now considered as a danger zone

Impact on USSR and International System

The U.S. only response to Soviet aggression was to limit grain shipments to the Soviet Union and boycotting the 1980 summer Olympic games in Moscow U.S President Jimmy Carter indicated that the Soviet incursion was "the most serious threat to the peace since the Second World War.

The Geneva Accords and Consequences for Pakistan

The Accord consisted of several instruments: Agreement on the interrelationships for the settlement of the situation relating to Afghanistan signed by Afghanistan and Pakistan, witnessed by the USA and the USSR; Bilateral agreement between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan on the principles of mutual relations, in particular on noninterference and nonintervention; Declaration on international guarantees, signed by the USSR and the USA; Bilateral agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the voluntary return of Afghan refugees.

Thanks for your Attention