Arming the “Freedom Fighters” in Afghanistan: Carter, Reagan, and the End of the Cold War

Abstract

This article focuses on American support for the mujahideen in the context of the Soviet-Afghan war. It underlines that the Afghan resistance was multifaceted and disunited and that US policy was confused and uncertain as to which faction to support. Ultimately, American relied on Pakistan to guide its regional policy, a choice that was both forced and in the long run misguided. This article shows how the objectives of US policy originated under the Carter and not the Reagan administration. Although Reagan did transform a covert policy into an open commitment and escalated the level of US support to unprecedented levels, the main goals of his policy remained similar to those pursued by Carter, with both administrations operating within a clear Cold War mindset. Subsequent claims that these policies led to the creation of the Taliban and Al Qaeda are forcefully disputed.