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> The Soviets were kicked out by the Taliban The Taliban got their weapons and training from the US, all funded by the Saudis, orchestrated by a congressman [1
by danans 7y ago
> The Soviets were kicked out by the Taliban
The Taliban got their weapons and training from the US, all funded by the Saudis, orchestrated by a congressman [1] and oil heiress from Texas. The history is well known at this point.
> How could a democracy be started with them?
Democracy was probably never a goal in the effort, certainly not for the Saudis, and not for the Taliban or the US either. Weakening the USSR through bloodshed and drain of resources.
1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Wilson_(Texas_politician) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Wilson_(Texas_politi...
- toohotatopic 7y agoSo Afghanistan was a victory and not a loss.
- pintxo 7y agoShort term yes, but long term?
- danans 7y agoThe Afghan war waged by the mujahideen (whose Pashto faction became the Taliban) against the USSR, funded by the Saudis, with arms supplied by the US was definitely a victory: The USSR retreated and Afghanistan became a theocratic state. If you mean a victory for democracy or human rights, then definitely no, but that was never the goal.