1. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Meg, Cassie and Mirabelle

2. Soviets Invade By the 1970’s Soviet aid to Afghanistan exceeded that of any other country. In April 1978 the Afghanistan republican leader was toppled by a communist coup which brought to power Mohammed Tarake of the Khalq (Peoples Party) Rebel forces vowed to overthrow the communist government however they were not coordinated. In February 1979, the US ambassador to Afghanistan was kidnapped and later shot. By June 1979 there were 3000 Soviet advisors in Afghanistan. The Soviet presence was not popular. On Christmas day 1979, 50 000 Soviet troops entered Afghanistan from Uzbekistan in the north. Amin, the current leader of the Khalq was arrested and accused of being a US agent. The Soviets soon had control of the majority of the country.

3. Reasons The unpopularity of Amin meant that the Soviet Regime might fall and this would create a vacuum of power. To annex Afghanistan into the USSR’s frontier zone of control. Soviet fear of Islamic fundamentalism. To be closer to Pakistan providing better access to the Persian Gulf.

4. Impact Salt-2 Treaty is shelved. US did not participate in the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. President Carter (US) increased defense expenditure by 5%. “Carter Doctrine” US would intervene if the USSR threatened western interests in the Persian Gulf. The war in Afghanistan is still ongoing. The concept of détente deteriorated