In 1979, the Soviet army invaded the neighboring nation of Afghanistan. According to Soviet officials the Afghani government asked for their help in order to support the pro-Soviet government that was in power at the time. Many believed that the Soviet action was unprovoked. However, it was learned later that the US Central Intelligence Agency was giving aid to rebel forces in an effort to overthrow the pro-Soviet government. This event served to escalate the Cold War between the United States sand the Soviet Union.

In 1980, shortly after the Russian Invasion, the United States boycotted the Moscow Summer Olympics. This can be viewed as a peaceful attempt to solve a potentially deadly series of events. If Russia would attack a small country, what would be the outcome of a war waged by the United States in defense of the small country of Afghanistan? Russia retaliated by boycotting the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Additionally, US Special Forces help train volunteers from countries surrounding Afghanistan. Additionally, the United States and Saudi Arabia provided more that $40 million dollars in aid. These volunteers formed a resistance force called the mujahedeen guerrillas that fought against the Soviet Union occupation. Many of the trainees, including Osama bin-Laden, eventually grouped together and turned on the Unites States. This leader, trained under the tutelage of some of the greatest generals and fighters in the world, focused all his hatred and energy on the very country that had given him birth. This is the ultimate example of short-term gains turning into long-term problems.

In the end, the Soviet forces retreated in 1989 after 10 years of fighting. Analysts are not sure of the reason for the retreat. Was it the rebel resistance, successful resistance in Central Europe, or the fall of the Soviet Union itself? The answer could be a combination of all of these factors.