The war in Afghanistan, 1979

As Cold War tensions ease with the signing of the SALT II treaty, Afghanistan becomes the focal point of the last Cold War crisis. The Soviet Union intervenes in Afghanistan at the request of its Marxist government, leading to a fierce resistance from the Mujahideen, supported by the US. The conflict escalates into a religious war, causing a massive refugee crisis. The war's impact is severe, with schools destroyed and millions of Afghans fleeing the country.

What was the main purpose of the SALT II treaty signed by the U.S. and the Soviet Union?

• To form a military alliance

• To establish trade relations

• To reduce the arms race and ban atomic weapons in space

• To end the Cold War

Who was installed as the president of Afghanistan with Soviet support in January 1980?

• Barbara Carmel

• Mikhail Gorbachev

• Leonid Brezhnev

• Jimmy Carter

What was the primary aim of the Mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

• To defend Islam from Soviet influence

• To support the Soviet-backed government

• To negotiate peace with the USSR

• To establish a Marxist government

How did the Afghan conflict transform over time according to the video?

• It shifted to a trade war

• It turned into a war of religion

• It evolved into a diplomatic conflict

• It became a war of ideologies

What was one of the significant impacts of the Afghan conflict on the civilian population?

• Massive displacement and refugee crisis

• Increased economic prosperity

• Enhanced political stability

• Improved educational opportunities