In addition to his role in other major global developments at the time, US President Jimmy Carter played a significant role in shaping the developments in Afghanistan in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His actions, which included strategic policies, support for the Afghan Mujahideen, and response to the Soviet invasion, had profound effects on the political and social history of Afghanistan and international relations.
1. Support for the Afghan Mujahideen Begins
In July 1979, the Carter administration began a covert program to support the Afghan Mujahideen against the communist government in Kabul and the Soviet Union. This support included sending communications equipment, initial financial resources ($500,000), and military intelligence.
Zbigniew Brzezinski, a famous strategist and Carter's national security advisor, believed that provoking the Soviets into involvement in Afghanistan could cost the country dearly and weaken it. This strategy later became known as the "Soviet Vietnam." However, experts and scholars have criticized this policy, saying that it triggered internal crises in Afghanistan that strengthened extremist groups such as al-Qaeda.
2. Response to the Soviet invasion (December 1979)
After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter administration took the following measures:
Economic embargo: cutting off grain sales to the Soviets.
Suspension of SALT II: Carter halted strategic nuclear cooperation with the Soviet Union.
1980 Olympic boycott: The United States, along with 65 other countries, boycotted the Moscow Olympics.
Increased funding for the Mujahideen: Carter allocated more funds and weapons to Afghan opposition groups.
Analysts emphasize that these measures had a broad diplomatic effect in isolating the Soviet Union. Western sources also state that Carter's response reduced Soviet global influence, but increased Cold War tensions.
3. Announcement of the Carter Doctrine (January 1980)
In his State of the Union address in January 1980, Carter declared that any external threat to control of the Persian Gulf would be viewed as a threat to US interests and that the country was prepared to use military force to counter it. This policy directly led to an increase in US military commitment in the region.
The Carter Doctrine represented a shift in US policy from limited reactions to a more proactive approach to countering Soviet influence. Analysts and sources consider this policy a turning point in the intensification of Cold War rivalries.
4. Long-term consequences of Carter's policies
Positive effects:
Weakening the Soviet Union: Carter's policies led the Soviet Union into a costly war that weakened it economically and politically.
Support for the Afghan Mujahideen resistance: Although this support was in the interests of the United States, it played an important role in strengthening the resistance movements against the Soviet forces.
Negative effects:
The rise of extremism: Support for Mujahideen groups led to the formation of extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and their instrumental use, which were left to their own devices after the defeat and withdrawal of the Soviets from Afghanistan, and later had negative security consequences for Afghanistan, the region, and the world.
Instability of Afghanistan: The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan ultimately led to civil wars and a long-term political crisis, as the United States and its regional ally, Pakistan, played an important role behind the scenes in continuing this war and internal crisis.
Impact on the Cold War: These policies led to an escalation of tensions and the beginning of a new era of the Cold War.
Conclusion:
Finally, Jimmy Carter's role in the developments in Afghanistan can be divided into two periods: short-term and long-term:
1. Short-term:
- Support for the Afghan Mujahideen, in line with America's goals and interests, and their instrumental use.
- Applying sanctions and economic and political pressure on the Soviet Union.
2. Long-term:
- Weakening the Soviet Union, but with negative consequences such as the emergence of extremist groups and their instrumental use, and ultimately leaving them to their own devices.
- Continuation of US interventions, ongoing instability in Afghanistan, and its impact on the entire region.
These policies affected not only the history of Afghanistan, but also international relations for decades.