Afghanistan became a focus for superpower rivalry: close to Persian Gulf oil & Indian Ocean ports, boarded Iran & Pakistan. Shared a border with the Muslims in Soviet Union. To Moscow, a friendly Afghanistan was vital.
The communist coup in Afghanistan took place in April, 1978
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Islamics
Islamic leaders in Afghanistan were against the new communist coup because they were trying to change the law of God & ruin islamic traditions - Communists were trying to make everuone equal but God had decided who is rich & who is poor.
Islamics protested against communist changes by burning down schools & universities. It was a holy war against ungodly communists.
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American concern
Americans were concerned about Russian interference in Afghanistan incase USSR moved South & cease Persian Gulf.
Islamics recieved US covert weapons for the first time in July 1979
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Afghanistan Prime Minister
Politician Hafizzulah Amin was hated in Afghanistan because his policies were too harsh & didn't take Afghan traditions into account
Afghan Prime Minister Mohammed Taraki intended to deal with the problem of Amin by flying to Moscow to get advice from Brezhnev. They decided to slow reforms & end the terror.
But when Taraki returned to Kabul, Amin had him ceased & executed.
Russians invaded Afghanistan on 25th December, 1979 to get rid of Amin.
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American response
American responded to this action by putting restraints on USSR - Carter's public announcement - if USSR invaded Iran or Pakistan through Afghanistan he would consider it a threat to USA's security.
Grain deliveries to USSR were blocked, a boycot of olympic games in Moscow lauched & US military spending increased.
US national security officer flew to Afghanistan to rally resistance, without revealing USA's intervention - provided weapons to "God's Army".
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