Crosswords1 min ago
The filling of a power vacuum
Is there any kind of justification for seeing a link between the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of Al Qaeda?
Answers
Certainly, Imperial Russia had concluded in the late 19th century that Afghanistan would be difficult to invade and impossible to hold. Instead they concentrated on buying cooperation by pouring aid and military assistance into the country. The Americans did the same when the Soviet Union and Afghanistan fell out in the seventies.
When the Soviets...
When the Soviets...
23:40 Sat 17th Mar 2012
Lol OJ - I was going to suggest bagless is better.....
Seriously though.
I think lots of people forget the extremists in Afghanistan had long since seen off the USSR's attempts to subjugate the area. So the tradition of guerilla warfare, extreme interpretation of Islam and thuggery well pre-dates the fall of the USSR.
Al qaeda as a movement had lots of teachers in the late 20th century - PLO, IRA - and the rich but disaffected playboy who led it seems to have been setting up shop before the USSR collapsed.
IMO it's easier to link American global manipulation specifically to the rise of Al qaeda that the soviet collapse.
Seriously though.
I think lots of people forget the extremists in Afghanistan had long since seen off the USSR's attempts to subjugate the area. So the tradition of guerilla warfare, extreme interpretation of Islam and thuggery well pre-dates the fall of the USSR.
Al qaeda as a movement had lots of teachers in the late 20th century - PLO, IRA - and the rich but disaffected playboy who led it seems to have been setting up shop before the USSR collapsed.
IMO it's easier to link American global manipulation specifically to the rise of Al qaeda that the soviet collapse.
-- answer removed --
Thanks. I hope this wiil be the very last time anyone will try to tame Afghanistan. The gambler NATO's last throw, to try to negotiate with the enemy is ludicrous and seems to me to be a sure sign of the loser. The sooner we stop wasting money and lives trying to change these ghastly people's way of thinking the better.
Maybe Sgt Bales actions will be found to have hastened withdrawal ... .
Maybe Sgt Bales actions will be found to have hastened withdrawal ... .
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