Operating Cyclone-Spring 2012

What is Operation Cyclone?

Operation Cyclone was the code name for the United States Central Intelligence Agency program to arm, train, and financially support the Afghan Mujahideen (The ones who struggle for God) during the Soviet War in Afghanistan that lasted from 1979 to 1989. The program supported the belligerent Islamic groups: less ideological Afghan resistance groups that were favored by the bordering country of Pakistan and had also been fighting the Marxist-oriented Democratic Republic of Afghanistan regime since years before the Soviet involvement. Operation Cyclone was one of the longest and most expensive covert CIA operations ever undertaken; funding began with $20–30 million per year in 1980 and rose to $630 million per year in 1987.

Foreign Policy?

Operation Cyclone is related to foreign policy because the United States wanted to expand their military efforts to the Middle-East. Joining the Mujadiheen group helped defeat the Soviet Union and spread military support. Also, the United States was providing military and other support to anti-Communist resistance movements in Afghanistan and other countries in Africa, and South & Central America.