Modern Warfare

Both the United States and the U.S.S.R are trying to gain political influence throughout the world.

The United States had gotten out of a war in Vietnam just a few years earlier.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics saw an opportunity to expand it’s influence in the middle east and in 1979 help install a communist government in Afghanistan.

The Soviets military was their countries strength throughout the world and many countries would not fight back against Soviet military aggression.

Afghanistan is a third world country that had been fighting foreign military powers for hundreds of years.

They have mastered the art of ambush warfare and view themselves as natural warriors.

Geography

A landlocked mountainous country with plains in the north and southwest, Afghanistan is described as being located within South Asia.

Very cold winters with heavy snowfall in the mountains.

This makes it very hard to conduct military operations during the winter season.

This makes it easier for the military to conduct military operations during the Soviet-Afghan war.

This also helps the soviet military in finding the insurgents throughout the region.

Very powerful military force with large number of ground forces.

AK-47 is still the weapon of chocie throughout the world and the soviet military has a large advantage over the insergency.

They are fighting in a country that has a lot of experience in warfare.

The Soviet military is deployed all around the world and fighting a number of small military engagements.

The language difference and layout of the country are not helping the Soviets.

Drug abuse among soldiers starts becoming a problem by the mid 1980’s.

Many of the soldiers are on multiple deployments and have been at war for years.

These deployments are talking their toll both physically and mentally on the troops.

The Mujahedeen are freedom fighters that fight for the Afghan people.

They are a highly motivated group that is willing to fight the Soviets by any means necessary.

By the age of 8 many Afghan boys join the Mujahedeen to fight in the war. However most start fighting at the age of 12.

They are trained and armed by the U.S. C.I.A. and learn very quickly the art of war.

By the mid 1980’s the U.S. government is providing the the Mujahedeen with over 500 million dollars a year.

Saudi Arabia is matching this as well and the total amount of funds that the Mujahedeen is receiving is over one billion dollars a year.

The U.S. government supplies the Mujahedeen with the SA-7.

These could shoot down the Soviet Air force and change the outcome of the war.

As Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan rebel forces begin to fight for control of the new government.

This struggle quickly turns into a large scale battle throughout the country.

Many of the factions that fought with each other for a cause, now turn on each other in order to gain control.

The country is split up in a number of different factions of the former Mujahedeen.

As many factions struggle to gain control, much of their resources run low.

After the Soviets pull out of Afghanistan, the U.S. Government stops sending money to the Mujahedeen.

Why stop sending money?

After the Soviet military is defeated much of the country is in shambles.

There is no industry or school systems in place.

What problems will this create?

In order to make money the Mujahedeen gets in to the drug business.

How does this not clash with their religious beliefs?

Money = Weapons = Victory