What led to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979?

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 was primarily triggered by the desire to support the communist government against anti-communist rebels.

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on 24 December 1979, marking the start of a decade-long occupation. The primary reason for this invasion was the Soviet Union's desire to support the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, a communist government, against the Mujahideen, anti-communist Islamic guerrillas. The Soviet Union was concerned that if the Mujahideen overthrew the communist government, it could potentially destabilise the Soviet Union's southern border and inspire similar uprisings within the Soviet Union itself.

The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was established in 1978 following a coup known as the Saur Revolution. However, the new government faced significant opposition from the Mujahideen, who were supported by a number of countries including the United States, Pakistan, and China. The Afghan government requested military assistance from the Soviet Union, which initially provided advisers and equipment. However, as the situation deteriorated, the Soviet Union decided to intervene directly.

The decision to invade was also influenced by the broader context of the Cold War. The Soviet Union was in competition with the United States for global influence, and Afghanistan was seen as a key strategic location. The Soviet Union was concerned that if it did not intervene, the United States might establish a presence in Afghanistan, which would have been a significant geopolitical setback for the Soviets.

Furthermore, the Soviet Union was motivated by a desire to protect its own political and ideological interests. The Soviet leadership saw the spread of communism as a key goal, and the survival of the communist government in Afghanistan was seen as important in this regard. The Soviet Union was also concerned about the potential for Islamic fundamentalism to spread to the predominantly Muslim republics in the southern part of the Soviet Union.

In summary, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was driven by a combination of factors, including the desire to support the communist government against anti-communist rebels, geopolitical considerations related to the Cold War, and concerns about the potential for instability and ideological contagion.