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The "Democratic Republic" (I put that sarcastically) of Afghanistan
Mohammad Daoud Khan overthrows Mohammed Zahir Shah in a military coup. Khan names himself president of the nation. The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan aligns itself with the USSR, otherwise known as the Soviet Union. -
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Disliked Ruler
Mohammad Khan grants women’s rights, and cracks down on opponents. He forces people who don’t agree with him out of the government. This angers conservative Islamic leaders. -
Introducing, the Mujahadeen! (and the Coup Count is up to 2!)
Khan is killed in a Communist coup by Nur Mohammad Taraki, who then takes control of the country as president. They declare independence from the Soviets, and say their politics are based on Islamic values, Afghan nationalism, and justice. Taraki signs a treaty with the Soviet Union. Conservative Islamic and ethnic leaders who rejected the social changes introduced by Kahn start a revolt in the countryside against the Soviet-backed government. The guerrilla movement is called the Mujahadeen. -
The Soviets Crash Christmas
The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan as a result of the Ambassador, Adolph Dubs, being killed. Taraki and his Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin get into a power struggle, and Taraki is killed. On December 24th, the USSR invades Afghanistan to make sure the communist regime doesn’t collapse. Amin and his followers were killed on the 27th, and Babrak Karmal becomes the prime minister. Karmal and the Soviets show violent public demonstrations, uniting Mujahadeen against them. -
Boycotting the Olympics!?
America boycotts the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Well, more like President Carter boycotts them. He sharply denounced Soviet aggression, vowed to protect Middle Eastern oil supplies, placed embargoes on the Soviet Union. He also increased aid to the Afghan insurgence for the Mujahadeen. -
War Sucks, Guys
2.8 million Afghan refugees flee to Pakistan, and 1.5 million flee to Iran as a result of the war, this accounts for over half of the Afghanistan population. Afghan guerrillas mainly control rural areas. Soviets primarily controlled urban areas. -
Ending the War (Not Really)
The Mujahadeen enter an alliance with Pakistan. The Soviet’s new leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, wants to end the war. He brings in many troops to Afghanistan. This made the war infamously brutal, in this year in particular. -
Stinger Missiles Sting
The Mujahadeen receive weapons from the US, Britain, and China to combat the Soviets. Most famous of these weapons are Stinger Missiles. These were crucial for the Mujahideen's victory, due to being amazingly effective against the Soviet’s aircraft. They were devastating to the Soviet forces, who saw it as a critical tool. -
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Peace(?)!
Barbrak Karmal is replaced with Mohammed Najibullah, after the Mujahadeen took over Kabul. As a result of devastating losses, the Soviets start pulling out troops. They sign a peace treaty with Afghanistan, the USA, and Pakistan. -
From Bad to Worse
The Soviets finish pulling out troops. However, civil war continued in Afghanistan, as the Mujahadeen continued their attempts to overthrow the government. In the end, they manage to overthrow Mohammed Najibullah, but at the cost of the stability of the country. Soon after the events, the Taliban, an (infamous) Islamic terrorist group, seized control, a major factor in the events that led to the Gulf Wars. -
Works Cited
