AbdulRehman Foundation

During the 1980s and 1990s, Afghanistan experienced significant events and a partnership with the United States that had a profound impact on the country’s history. Here’s an overview:

1. Soviet Invasion (1979-1989): In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government that was facing opposition from various factions. The Afghan resistance, known as the mujahideen, formed to fight against the Soviet forces. The United States, along with other countries, provided significant support to the mujahideen in the form of weapons, training, and funding.
2. US Support for the Mujahideen: The United States, recognizing the Soviet invasion as a threat to its interests, began supplying the mujahideen with weapons and financial aid. This support included advanced weaponry such as Stinger missiles, which proved instrumental in countering Soviet air power. The US assistance was coordinated through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
3. Anti-Soviet Coalition: The mujahideen fighters were not a unified force but rather a diverse coalition of Afghan resistance groups with differing ideologies and objectives. Despite their differences, they received support from various countries, including the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China. Together, they formed an effective resistance against the Soviet occupation.
4. Soviet Withdrawal and Aftermath: The Soviet Union eventually withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in 1989, recognizing the futility of a prolonged war. However, the country was left in a state of turmoil, with a power vacuum and ongoing conflicts among the different mujahideen factions. This period witnessed significant instability and factional fighting.
5. Rise of the Taliban: Amid the chaos, a fundamentalist group called the Taliban emerged in the early 1990s. The Taliban gradually gained control over large parts of the country and established a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Their rise to power was partly facilitated by support from Pakistan and financial assistance from Saudi Arabia.
6. US Engagement with Afghanistan: Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the United States launched a military campaign in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda, which had found safe haven under the Taliban’s rule. The U.S.-led coalition, along with Afghan opposition forces, quickly overthrew the Taliban regime. Subsequently, the United States and its allies engaged in a prolonged military presence to stabilize the country and promote democracy.

It’s important to note that while the partnership between the United States and Afghanistan during the 1980s aimed to counter the Soviet invasion, the long-term consequences and complexities of this involvement would shape Afghanistan’s future trajectory in unforeseen ways