Why did the United States arm the Mujahideen rebels in Afghanistan?
1 Answer
Probably because of the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" (regardless of who is who) politics.
Explanation:
The US at the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was still gripped into the Cold War with Russia. This war was fought not on the field between armies of the two contenders but behind the scenes supporting third parties to fight in their names.
This happened previously in Vietnam where the US was fighting indirectly against the USSR that was fighting through the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong to try to damage as much as possible American interests.
As a kind of mirror reflection the US supported the rebels in Afghanistan against the Russians to damage them as much as possible BUT without actually fighting openly against the Russians.
[Artistic representation of mujahedin firing US produced Stinger missile against Russian MI-24 Hind Attack helicopter]
As you can imagine the side you support not always is the "best" ethical or moral party....the only thing you need is that it is....the enemy of your enemy!
