Updating U.S. Strategy for Helping Afghan Freedom Fighters

Publication Date: December 1986

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): James A. Phillips

Research Area: Government

Keywords: Middle East

Type: Report

Coverage: Afghanistan Soviet Union

Abstract:

The Soviet Union will continue waging its war against the Afghan people as long as it believes it can win at an acceptable cost. As such, the U.S. must help the Mujahideen raise the Soviet military, economic and political costs of the war effort to the point that they outweigh the potential gains. Moscow will contemplate a negotiated withdrawal only when it has been denied a military solution. An expanded U.S. strategy backed by more effective U.S. aid to Afghanistan does not guarantee victory to the Mujahideen Freedom Fighters. But it will give them a much better chance.