December 1979: Soviet forces invade Afghanistan

DATE: December 1979

DESCRIPTION: In order to extend their foreign policy into Eastern Europe, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. They installed a new dictator, Babrak Carmal, as the President; however, his government was a puppet government for the Soviets. This caused alarm in the West, China, and India because the USSR appeared to be taking control of the Persian Gulf. In 1980 the USSR escalated the war, with more than 2000 tanks and aircraft squadrons supporting their war effort, but the Afghan rebels, known as the Mujaheddin still controlled most of the country. A vicious war ensued between the two sides.

BLAME: The blame for this event falls solely on the Soviets – they were the ones who started the invasion because they wanted to expand southward and extend their foreign policy. There were no other countries or forces that had a hand in it starting.

TENSION INCREASE: This event increased the tension between the USSR and the USA, along with a good amount of the rest of the world. It ended the period of détente between the two countries and caused world opinion to turn rapidly against the Soviets. This is because it appeared as if the USSR wanted to expand their territory and take control of the Persian Gulf. In fact, the USA boycotted the Moscow Olympics as a result of this event – it was as if they didn’t even want to associate with the Soviets. +1.5

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