The Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979-1989)

Though many believe that the Soviet War in Afghanistan was simply a two-sided war, it was a highly complex and dynamic war involving many countries. Conflict waged for 9 years, from December 27, 1979, to February 15, 1989. The invading Soviet forces supported the Marxist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), who fought against the mujahideen resistance. The resistance gained support from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other nations with high percentages of Muslims. Like the Vietnam War, there was no definite battlefield; rather, there was a lot of guerilla warfare. Over the course of the war, the Soviet losses were above 15’000, the Afghan losses were 2 million civilians, and an unknown number of mujaheddin fighters killed. The war lasted so long because of the nature of the terrain and the opposing forces. While the Soviets were used to traditional, front-to-front fighting, the Afghanis were used to tribal and guerilla warfare. Since the mujahideen resistance was widespread throughout the deserts and remote mountains of Afghanistan, it was impossible for the Soviet forces and the PDPA to ever gain full control of the resistance. The Soviet War in Afghanistan was fought on both sides to promote their form of government. The Soviets and the PAPD wanted to install communism, where the mujahideen and much of the civilian population wanted to promote traditional values and government. As a result of this war, the Soviets withdrew their forces, while the Afghan Civil War continued. The war in Afghanistan was significant to the Cold War because the Soviet Union was attempting to instill Communism in Afghanistan. The democratic and Muslim worlds supported the rebels in the war, either to the spread of Communism or to protect traditional values and government. Society was developing a new set of values, as well as allies. Future wars are affected by the decisions, enemies, and allies made during the Soviet-Afghan war.
Sources-
"Soviet War in Afghanistan." Wikipedia.org. 26 May 2009. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 26 May 2009 .
"Soviets Invade Afghanistan."Great Events- The 20th Century. Volume 8. 1992. Print.
"Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan."Great Events- The 20th Century. Volume 10. 1992. Print.