the ramifications of the soviet union invasion of afghanistan

I need some assistance with these assignment. the ramifications of the soviet union invasion of afghanistan Thank you in advance for the help! The rivalry between the two super powers was exhibited, to a large extent, in making alliances with less powerful countries. The United States establishment of military ties with Pakistan in 1954 was one event that drove the Soviet Union to seek a matching military connection. “The Soviets in return used the strategic location of Afghanistan, at the juncture of Asia and the Middle East, to counter the U.S. alliance with Pakistan and the surrounding Persian Gulf states” (Shaban 2006). This strategy did not appear to be such a difficult task for neither the Afghans, nor the Soviets. Arnold (1985) pointed out that after the end of World War II, Afghanistan made numerous appeals to the United States to aid in modernizing their armed forces. Their requests were constantly being denied as the Americans felt that politically and geographically Pakistan was better suited to their interests.

The rise to power of Prime Minister Mohammed Daoud in 1953 renewed the request of Afghanistan in seeking aid from the United States. His request was denied as well. This led Daoud to turn his attention to the Soviet Union in asking for military assistance. At first, the assistance came in the form of arms.

The Soviet’s interest in Afghanistan expanded with the advanced credit of $3.5 million for the construction of some industrial buildings, as well as a $1.2 million in 1954 for the construction of a gasoline pipe line and related storage tanks. This assistance was happening at the same time that the United States was helping Pakistan in certain critical areas.

The 1956 agreement with the Soviet Union in helping to equip the Afghan army provided the Soviets with the opportunity to form a closer military bond with Afghanistan. Both Afghan and Soviet military personnel were afforded exchange training programs. This gave the Soviets an opportunity for assessing and recruiting individual officers to serve Soviet political aims (p.38).