1. Modern Warfare

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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.

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

9.  Very cold winters with heavy snowfall in the mountains.  This makes it very hard to conduct military operations during the winter season.

11.  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.

12.  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.

13.  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.

14.  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.

15.  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.

16.  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.

19.  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.

20.  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.

24.  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.

25.  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.

26.  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?

27.  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?

29.  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