During Invasion Timeline

US

Jimmy Carter is President

1980 - 1981

Jimmy Carter's policy towards the USSR involves sanctions and boycotts in an effort to discourage the invasion of Afghanistan and improve US influence in the Middle East.

US Pressures Pakistan Against UN Proposal

1980 - 1982

Although the US does not support the government of Pakistan, they try to befriend them to keep supporting the Mujahideen. The US pressures Pakistan to not accept the UN proposal (see Afghanistan's timeline) so that they can continue supplying the Mujahideen from bases in Pakistan.

Carter Doctrine Announced

Jan 23 1980

During his state of the union address, President Jimmy Carter announces that any attempt by the Soviet Union to control the Persian Gulf's oil supply will be perceived as a threat to US interests and be met with consequences. This would become known as the Carter Doctrine. During the Invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter Doctrine was put into action through the use of economic sanctions and boycotts.

Moscow Olympics Boycott

July 1980 - August 1980

As part of the Carter Doctrine, Jimmy Carter demands a US boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Ronald Reagan is President

January 1981 - November 1989

Ronald Reagan's administration pursues a more aggressive approach to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. His cabinet increases funding for the US military to intimidate the Soviet Union, and even threatens a US invasion of Afghanistan.

Increased Funding for Mujahideen

1986 - Feb 15 1989

America decides to ramp up spending on aid to the Mujahideen so that they can fight against the Soviets. They increase the budget to approximately 3 billion dollars and start sending STINGER anti-aircraft missiles to attack Soviet helicopters and planes. This combats the Soviets aerial offensive and makes the war more even more difficult for them.

USSR

Brezhnev is Leader of USSR

Dec 25 1979 - Nov 10 1982

Leonid Brezhnev initiates the war in Afghanistan as a consequence of his Brezhnev Doctrine (see Before Invasion timeline).

US-USSR Tensions Heighten

1981 - 1983

Due to the occupation being longer and more difficult than expected, the Soviet Union panics and threatens to invade the rest of the Persian Gulf. They demand that the US stops aiding the Mujahideen or they would go through with this plan, creating even more conflict between the two sides.

Andropov is Leader of USSR

nov 10 1982 - Feb 9 1984

Gorbachev is Leader of USSR

9 feb 1984 - 1989

Mikhail Gorbachev eventually ended the war in Afghanistan.

Soviets Increase Military Force

1985

Soviets increase their military in Afghanistan from 50,000 to more than 100,000 troops in a desperate effort to defeat the Mujahideen.

Turmoil in USSR

1986 - 1986

With the war in Afghanistan continuing to drag on and the death toll rising, the Soviets felt lots of pressure to hide this news from the public. The USSR started creating propaganda in order to gain public support for the war and prevent them from learning the grim truth. However, returning veterans soon started to reveal the truth about the war, making it extremely unpopular.

Soviets Exit Afghanistan

February 15, 1989

Mikhail Gorbachev admits defeat and removes soldiers from Afghansitan. The Mujahideen allowed this retreat and soon took full control of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Babrak Karmal is Prime Minister

Dec 25 1979

Babrak Karmal is the former leader of the Parchamist faction of the PDPA. He becomes a figurehead leader who the Soviets bring into power to replace Amin as Prime Minister.

Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan

Dec 25 1979 - feb 15 1989

The Soviets expected the invasion of Afghanistan to be quick and easy, but it soon becomes apparent that it was more complicated. Their occupation becomes more difficult due to guerrilla warfare and harassment from the Mujahideen rebels. This causes the war to stretch out for 10 years.

UN Proposal