Why did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan worsen superpower relations?

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan worsened superpower relations by escalating tensions and mistrust between the USSR and the USA.

The invasion, which took place in December 1979, was seen by the West, particularly the United States, as an aggressive expansion of Soviet influence in the region. This was during the Cold War, a period characterised by ideological conflict and competition between the two superpowers. The invasion was perceived as a direct threat to the balance of power and a clear violation of international law, which further strained relations.

The USA responded to the invasion by implementing a series of measures aimed at punishing the USSR and supporting the Afghan resistance. President Jimmy Carter announced the Carter Doctrine, which stated that the USA would use military force if necessary to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf. This was a clear signal to the USSR that the USA was prepared to take a hard line against Soviet expansionism. The USA also led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, a move that was seen as a significant diplomatic snub.

Furthermore, the USA, along with other Western countries and China, began providing financial and military support to the Afghan Mujahideen, the group resisting the Soviet invasion. This covert operation, known as Operation Cyclone, was one of the longest and most expensive covert CIA operations ever undertaken. It not only exacerbated tensions between the USA and the USSR but also had long-term consequences, contributing to the rise of extremist groups in the region.

The invasion also had a significant impact on the détente, a period of improved relations between the USA and the USSR that had begun in the late 1960s. The invasion was seen as a betrayal of the principles of détente, leading to its eventual collapse. This marked a return to a more confrontational phase in the Cold War, with both superpowers ramping up their rhetoric and military activities.

In conclusion, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a major turning point in superpower relations. It led to an escalation of tensions, a breakdown of trust, and a return to a more confrontational phase in the Cold War. The invasion and the subsequent response from the USA and its allies marked a significant deterioration in superpower relations, with long-lasting consequences for global politics.