1. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

2. Context: The Cold War 1945-1991 USA vs USSR Capitalism vs Communism
‘Cold’ because there was no fighting between the USA and the USSR.
There were ‘proxy’ wars that were fought, like Afghanistan, Vietnam…

3. Afghanistan Soviet-led Afghan forces vs. Mujahideen (US backed)
Dec 1979 – Feb 1989
Millions of Afghans fled the country
Hundreds of thousands of Afghan civilians were killed (as well as soldiers)
War sometimes called ‘Soviet Union’s Vietnam’

4. After the War…
Power vacuum created, eventually the Taliban takes over.
US invades in 2001 and removes the Taliban from power.
(Read this if you are interested)
Now negotiating with Taliban.

5. Baba and Amir in America
Chapter 11 –
“Baba loved the idea of America.
It was living in America that gave him an ulcer.”

6. VENN – Afghanistan and the US
America