The April “Revolution” and the Soviet-Afghan War: Why neither is a Good Analog to Today’s War in Afghanistan by Joseph Collins

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The relative stability of 1933 to 1978 gave way to insurrection first against Afghan communists, and later, the invading Soviet Union. The communist coup (April 1978) and the Soviet invasion (December 1979) touched off a period of 33 years of war that continues up to the present. If we review the basics, however, the Soviet experience is not a good analog for U.S. and NATO operations.
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Joseph Collins, a retired Army Colonel, teaches strategy at the National War College. From 2001-2004, he was the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability Operations. He is a 30 year Afghanistan watcher. This article is the author’s own and does not represent the analysis or policy of any government agency. It is drawn from his NDU Press book, Understanding War in Afghanistan, forthcoming Summer, 2011.