Key Events

*In 1979 the USSR invaded the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan with the intention of supporting the pro-Soviet government in power.

*The war in Afghanistan was not a huge priority until Reagan became president of the United States in 1981.

*As a part of the Reagan doctrine, the action taken against the Soviets in Afghanistan had good solutions.

*The U.S. wanted to support soldiers on the ground that were anti-Soviet and also against the current comm

unist government in Afghanistan.*The plan was to strip the Soviets of its confidence in the war. *This would complete the American foreign policy requirement of Containment as well as get the USSR out of Afghanistan.*The CIA supplied them with non-lethal aid like communication equipment and humanitarian aid.Sources:

http://www.academia.edu/2897792/Operation_Cyclone_1979-1989_A_Brief_Analysis_of_the_U.S._Involvement_in_the_Soviet-Afghan_War

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/terror-blowback-burns-cia-1182087.html