The Soviet invasion and withdrawal of Afghanistan is a well covered subject, what is not well covered, is the fact that all communist governments fail regardless of what action is taken. 1. The communist government left after the Soviet Union's pull out was an exception. They lasted for three years and fought the insurgents to a standstill and exposed the Islamic fighter's weaknesses. They could have defeated the insurgents and won except for the new Russian federations refusal to sell fuel and weapons to the Afghan Army. 2. This is also a classic example of cause and effect. All governments rise and fall, the Afghan governments fall to the Taliban, made possible the creation of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. The attacks on the US on 9-11-01 carried out by this group caused the Taliban governments over through by America in retaliation. 3. If Russia had continued support for the Afghan Army the Taliban would not have come to power, Al-Qaeda would not have formed, we would not have been attacked and not be at war today. 4. Subjects discussed will be the Saur Revolution, factions inside the PDPA, Soviet-Afghan relations and the initiation of the insurgency. 5. In conclusion, had the communist system left in place after the Soviet Union's withdrawal lasted we might not be at war today.

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