Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

• Iran had an Islamic Revolution in 1979 deposing the Shah of Iran
• Moscow didn't want this Islamic fundamentalism to spread across its borders as there were many Muslims living within the USSR
• Moscow wanted to ensure a pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan in order to protect its interests
• 2. September 1979, Hafizullah Amin staged a popular coup and toppled the pro-Soviet government
• 3. At first Moscow supported him, however, Amin became increasingly unpopular as other pro-Muslim factions tried to overthrow him
• 1. In April 1978, a pro-Soviet government took control in Afghanistan and received economic assistance from Moscow
• 4. When Brezhnev heard rumours that Amin was talking to USA about support, he decided to act. On 24 December 1979, USSR invaded Afghanistan
• 5. USSR claimed they invaded in order to support Amin, however, Amin was assassinated 27 December 1979 and replaced by a pro-Soviet leader called Babrak Kamal
• 6. USSR remained in Afghanistan for almost 10 years fighting opponents of Kamal
• Consequently, the USA was led to perceive the invasion as the spread of communism and worked hard to resist it, without becoming directly involved in the conflict
• Consequently, the had USA trained, armed and funded Muslim guerrilla fighters known as the Mujahedeen spending billions of dollars over the course of the war
• Consequently, the USSR had spent approx. $8 billion per year on the invasion and cost the lives of 15000 Soviet troops and civilian casualties of 1.5 million deaths
• Consequently, the US President Carter withdrew from SALT 2 and increased military spending. This formally ended the period of détente
• Consequently, the Olympic boycotts of the 1980 Moscow games and 1984 LA games happened
• Consequently, the USA introduced the Carter Doctrine