Operational Level the Planning of the Campaigns Waged in the Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan - Coursework Example

First Number Analyse at the Operational Level The Planning And Prosecution Of The Campaigns Waged By The Principle Participants In The Soviet Intervention In Afghanistan, And Identify Any Relevant Lessons For Contemporary Commanders INTRODUCTION In the contemporary world, various social issues have emerged and are continued to emerge due, to which the balance of the society is influenced in profound manner. The prevailing issues in the present day scenario includes terrorism, conflicts amid the countries, and other political and social conflicts among others. All these aspects one-way or the other affects the proper functioning of the society. War among countries to demonstrate supremacy over other has been historically proven. However, countries in the 21st century particularly the developed nations are not directly involved into the war to prove their supremacy and power, but are executing this intention in different manner by intervening into the internal matter of a particular country1. The event of the Soviet invasion to Afghanistan was one of the remarkable, costliest, as well as inane wars during the cold war, 1979. The Afghan war is also recognised as an important chapter in the termination phase of the cold war. In December 27th of 1979, the government of Afghanistan was severely affected due to the brutal military attack by Soviet, which further extended to more than 9 consecutive years. Historically, the invasion was commenced as an operation named ‘Storm’ operated by seven hundreds of special military forces of the Soviet by infiltrating into Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. According to the contention over the invasion by several scholars, it has been perceived that the incursion against Afghanistan by the Soviet was one of the key turning points during the period of cold war. With due regards to the contentions, it has been critically claimed that the invasion was a foremost strategic challenge to the whole West as well as an enormous threat to the global peace since the Second World War. According to an in-depth understanding of various scholars, the occupation of the major cities and whole Afghanistan had constituted to form a larger Soviet military power witnessed by the world during the World War II. The pretext of the war was the dethroning of the “centrist Afghanistan government” by reformist military officers, who then hand over the power to two Marxist-Leninist political parties, namely, the Khalq (“Masses”) and Parcham (“Flag”). Both parties allied with each other to form the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan. The new government due to lack of substantial support, turn to the Soviet for gaining support and launched purges to oppressed the protest raised against the party or its ideology. As a consequence of such action from the government, numerous groups of protesters emerged against the ruthless conduct of the government. The uprising of multiple groups of protesters and the faction between the Khalq and Parcham eventually prompted the Soviet invasion to Afghanistan2. In the light of the aforesaid description, the primary aim of the essay is to bring a clear understanding by analysing the operational level including planning and examination of the major campaigns led by the principle participants, namely Soviet’s and Afghanistan during the Afghan war. Moreover, the discussion also covers up different key intentions as well as strategic measured undertaken by Soviet and identify how they can be a learning lessons for the commanders in the recent unconventional era. PRINCIPLE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOVIET INTERVENTION IN AFGHANISTAN The principle participants of the Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan indirectly included the Afghan army, the soviets and the Mujahedeen among other nations. They were involved in providing financial assistance to the two principle groups i.e. the Soviet led troops and Mujahedeen3. The role of Mujahedeen during the campaign war was also quite crucial owing to the aspect that they have significantly contributed towards the establishment of the war at large. The primary targets of the Soviets during the invasion were to eliminate the Mujahedeen fighters from Afghanistan. The two Mujahedeen group that were actively against the Soviets include Tehran Eight as well as Peshawar Seven. The Soviets primarily seek to target and diminish the Mujahedeen groups in Afghanistan with the help of the local army. This further depicts involvement of this particular group during the war. The primary effort of the Soviets was to develop a friendly relationship with the country by resolving some of the prevailing political and terrorism issues. The prominence of the scenario can further be depicted from the fact that it was the first time that the Soviet was military troops was involved in invasion of any particular nations beyond the eastern bloc. However, countries from different parts of the world argued that the approach of the Soviet of intervening into the internal matters of Afghanistan was merely an excuse to gain a better control over the nation and enhance its image as a global power to a considerable extent altogether4. Leaders of the Soviet had the firm belief that their approach of intervening into the internal matters of Afghanistan would certainly result in positive outcome as they had the perception that this would certainly secure Afghanistan from some of the prevailing doctrine within the nation. Despite of the presence of the involvement of other nations or superpowers of the world during that particular period, including the US and the UK’s active participant of the war, were mainly the Soviets and the Mujahedeen along with the afghan army among others. Again, it can also be depicted that the role of the Afghan army were quite limited since they were only associated with conducting operations by helping the soviets in conquering the Mujahedeen and restrict their activities at large. It has been learnt that the prime and the integral part of the war includes the Soviets and Mujahedeen, especially in the operational level. Both the participants were against each other during the war in both strategic and operational level. However, it must be mentioned that in the front of the Mujahedeen, there were not much strategic and operational activities since they were less systematic in their approaches when compared to the soviets at large. The approach of the Soviet had the support of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which further strengthened the movement to a greater extent. This aspect also showed that PDPA was also one of the principle participants of Soviet’s intervention in Afghanistan. During that particular period, the primary attempt of the Soviet was to ensure their dominance over the tribal Islamic regions of Afghanistan with the assistance of the PDPA. The prime purpose of this particular approach of Soviet was to enhance the national security of the country and eliminate problems that were prevailing within the border. It must be mentioned that during the war, a considerable number of innocent people were killed and large number military causality were also been recorded as per historical records. It has been analysed and evaluated that more than 13000 military personnel from the Soviet were killed during the war. Finally, in the year 1992, the war came to an end with the collapse of the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan5. It has been learnt that during the war, the military troops of Afghanistan were supported by the military of Afghanistan. The government was also integrally associated with the movement with the purpose to ensure peace and harmony in the country. . Since the Mujahedeen were the main targets of the Soviet during the war, their involvement in the movement was quite apparent and thus they can also be seen as the principle participants. It has also been learnt from the study of historical records and reports that the US revealed a criticising approach towards the movement and the involvement of the Soviet in the same and likewise the US have taken numerous measures to influence Soviet to withdraw its military troops from the Afghanistan. This involvement of the US in the invasion movement also makes them a key player of the same at large. It has also been comprehended that UK and others like Saudi Arabia were involved in the war in the form of providing financial support to the Soviet and other participants, which further directly or indirectly associate them with the movement. Hence, it can be depicted that the principle participants of the war includes the Soviets, the Mujahedeen, the government of Afghanistan and the US among others6. OPERATIONAL LEVEL PLANNING AND PROSECUTION OF THE CAMPAIGNS WAGED As discussed, soviets invasion to Afghanistan is historically one of the most vital events that the world has witnessed. The issues have gathered maximum attention of the countries of the world owing to its importance in context to the global world. The war has multiple participants owing to certain specific reasons. However, it must be mentioned that the war marked the beginning of Soviet invasion in eastern nations for the first time in the history. The war which broke in the year 1979 had had been associated with nations and groups by storm. This is because of the fact that many believed the approach of the Soviet was motivated with the objective of gaining control and establishing dominance over the less powerful countries such as Afghanistan. In addition, the approach of Soviet was also viewed as one of the strategies to prove its supremacy over other powerful nations like America. On the other hand, the Soviet defended itself by stating that they were invading Afghanistan with the purpose to resolve the political problems of the country along with enhancing the internal relationship between Soviets and Afghanistan. Providing an elaborative understanding about the planning and prosecution would depict and justify the approach of the Soviet and others participants involved in the war7. It has been learnt that during the Soviet intervention to Afghanistan, the immediate approach of the Soviet was to resolve the on-going challenges and instability faced by Afghanistan and also to promote peace within the region. Soviet planned to take control over capital Kabul by securing the important communication lines of the place attached to the border area of Afghanistan and Soviets. This was also planned and prosecuted by the Soviet troop and the concerned leaders with the intention to secure the border that can affect Soviet in the future. This particular plan of the Soviet can be regarded as both for personal benefits as well as benefitting the government of Afghanistan. The plan was to fight a low profile movement with the Mujahedeen and remove them from the grass root level to get a control over the political domain of Afghanistan in alignment with the support of the government of the nation, especially, in the province of Kabul. The leaders in Afghanistan provided a helping hand to the Soviets to execute this particular planning accordingly8. Analysis of historical records suggested that during that particular period, most of the countries in the western world were aware of the future aspect that the Soviet military troop will one way or the other restrain the local residents of Kabul and the entire nations to get control over the nation. This aspect was also criticised by the nation such the US and the UK. The planning and prosecution of the Soviet were also compared with the approach of the US towards Vietnam. In the initial phases of the operations of the Soviet, they were getting full support of the government of the nations along with the local residents who were dealing with severe threats from the end of the Mujahedeen. The planning of the Soviet who was one of the principle participants of the war also included working in alignment with the press and media sector of Afghanistan to provide utmost strength to the movement. In the presence of the public, government, and media support, it was believed that the Soviet would be able to plan as well as execute their activities efficiently. Furthermore, the decision of the Soviet not to negotiate with any of the groups of Afghanistan was also proved to quite an efficient strategy that had one way or the other benefitted it during the intervention. Furthermore, historical records also suggested that the political principles as well as firm goals of the Soviet also contributed towards the success of the country during in a comprehensive manner altogether. The use of technology during the Soviets invasion was also seen as an important part of the planning. This can also be justified from the fact that Soviet used advanced military techniques and tools during its invasion, which were technologically quite different but highly efficient9. However, fruitful results were not gathered in the initial stages. Notably, after a long time of futility in Afghanistan many of the Soviet troops withdrew from the country further leaving the campaign in the middle. This approach or planning failure of the Soviet further resulted in heavy loss for the countries and groups who were involved with the movement one way or the other. The aspect has also resulted in weakening of the power of Soviet in the global scenario. However, it must also mention that the sudden halt of the war in Afghanistan resulted into anguish in the nations, which eventually resulted into disintegration of the society10 11. Notably, the investment of the Soviet during the war in Afghanistan was planned for 25 years in the areas including financial as well as investment in the defence resources. With their approach, the Soviet aimed to stabilised the political and social condition of the nation and safeguard its own border, which has been on a continuous deterioration. It is learnt that the intervention of the Soviet right from the 1956 when the country has taken active participation in the Afghan politics. The campaigns of the country also included collaboration of the Soviet army with Afghan cadets and many other government officials to eliminate the prevalence of various political and social issues in Afghanistan. It has also been noted that the campaigns of the Soviets in Afghanistan yielded positive results, which must also be apparently discussed. Notably, during the intervention of the Soviet in Afghanistan, the country has ensured progress in the domain of economy and social development. Contribution of the Soviet and its various leaders in the infrastructural development of Afghanistan during those years was also pivotal12. With the emergence of the PDPA in the scene, the relationship amid the two countries improved significantly. The Soviet and the PDPA leaders signed numerous treaties and partnership that were targeted towards political and social development of Afghanistan in the global scenario. This has also been one of the strategic planning of the Soviet, which was developed as a part of its invasion approach in Afghanistan in the later stages. The war is not only seen as an example for the better leadership amid the leaders and officials of the countries or parties involved but the same time, it also acted as a source for better strategic development that can be used in the present day scenario. It was deemed that the war ensured a strategic defeat for the Mujahedeen against the Soviets. In this regard, the operational level approaches of the parties involved played a significant role. It was the first time during this particular war that the Soviets used effective strategies especially in the domain of proper communication amid the parties of the war. Notably, Soviets is deemed to have taken effective measures and polices that eventually helped them to succeed in a considerable manner altogether. The operational approaches of the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan could not be firmly depicted, since they were operations were largely secret. They have the lack of any systematic approach that could have enabled them to win against the mighty Soviets. Hence, owing to the absence of any firm information regarding the operations of the Mujahedeen, there approaches could not be depicted significantly13. With the positive contribution the Soviet towards the social and political development of Afghanistan, the former has been able to gain the trust of the local people in Kabul, along with the trust and support of various groups active in the country for the betterment of the nation. This particular planning of the Soviet and its effectiveness can further be justified from the fact that a large per cent of the villages in Kabul showed extreme support to the movement of the Soviet. However, there was certain planning of the Soviet that acted against the country during their invasion to Afghanistan. In this context, it can be stated that the leaders of the Soviet formulated the planning for developing Soviet-style socialism in Afghanistan, which was perceived against some of the cultural values and ethics of the society. This aspect further raised concerns over the approaches of the leaders of Soviet during their invasion in Afghanistan. LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FOR THE COMMANDERS From the overall analysis, several key facts have been highlighted, relevant to the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet with the purpose of promoting development within the nation. It has been learnt that during the process of invasion by the Soviet in Afghanistan, the former has taken certain effective decisions in order to get the support of the people and the political groups within the nation further enhancing the chances of getting utmost success in their approach towards getting control over the country. The entire episode demonstrated interesting facts relevant to the leadership approach of the Soviet and Afghanistan who were among the prime participants of the movement, which can be considered effective for the leaders of the contemporary scenario14. It has been analysed that during the invasion of the Soviet, leaders work in alignment with one another towards meeting the ultimate objective i.e. to enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries, along with improving the political condition of Afghanistan to a considerable extent altogether. Leaders of both the Soviet and Afghanistan have worked in a collaborative manner to meet the goals and objectives of the invasion. It has been further construed that many of the policies of the invasion were taken collectively for the betterment of both the USSR and Afghanistan. During the invasion process, the leaders of the Soviet intended to improve the political and social condition of Afghanistan by removing all the legal issues that were prevailing in the nation. In this regard, the Soviet were aware of the aspect that in order to bring positive changes in Afghanistan they will need to have full support of the government of the nation and the groups that are working for the welfare of the country. In this context, the leaders in Afghanistan showed full support towards the policies of the Soviet. Subsequently, findings of the study suggested that the Soviet had ensured various developments in Afghanistan during their invasion process. The economy of the country has also affected significantly owing to the invasion of the Soviet in the country. This has further enhanced the trust of the people towards the Soviet and the purposes they had shown. PDPA, which was one of the most prominent groups in Afghanistan during that period also join forces with the Soviet to allow the invasion and improve the condition of the country15. The leadership and planning of the Soviet was quite simple and direct during their approach of invading Afghanistan. They were aware of the fact that without the support of the locals and legal authorities of Afghanistan, the objectives of the Soviet will not be accomplished efficiently. In this regard, it has been seen that in the contemporary scenario leaders often take the approach of violence to solve issues in other countries or to maintain peace within the global arena. However, this approach might imbalance the structure of the society owing to the global tension. On the contrary, both the participants during the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan had ensured that the activities undertaken are grounded on mutual agreement and treaty where both the countries can be benefitted equally. This also means that the participants and their respective leaders choose to make collective and mutual decisions rather focusing on any sort of outbreak. Furthermore, the Soviet had taken the approach to limit the issues hindering the harmony and peace in Afghanistan, which further enabled them to get the support and confidence of the local people of Afghanistan. The contemporary leaders must also need to take lesson from the entire episode and likewise they should make strategies of any kind with mutual understanding, so that peace can be prevailed and better results can be ensured to a considerable extent altogether. Moreover, it must also be mentioned that leaders should take the approach of helping nations to deal with their issues through gaining their trust, which was also seen in the approach of the Soviet during their invasion to Afghanistan. The prevalence of problems in various sectors of the nation has become quite evident in the present day scenario. The issues amid nations on the basis of social-political, cultural, and economic aspects have increased significantly in course of time. In this context, the role of the leaders in dealing with the prevailing issues with effective strategies has become quite prominent. In precise, it can be depicted that leaders indeed has the most important role to play in any era and their role and decision making can impact any particular society the most. This also shows that their decisions should be for the betterment for all collectively16. CONCLUSION From the overall analysis of the paper, several key aspects can be presented relevant to the subject matter. It is apparent that in the present day scenario, any particular issues can draw the attention of countries globally owing to the fact that it has a collective impact globally to various nations of the world. It has been ascertained that some of the prevailing issues in the present day scenario includes political conflicts, issues of terrorism and social concerns among others. However, it must be stated that these issues can also been seen amid countries in the past as well which most of the time results into war and conflicts amid nations. In this regard, the episode of the Soviets invasion over Afghanistan can be seen as an example. It has been comprehended that during the period of 1956, soviets took the approach of invading Afghanistan in order to deal with the internal issues prevailing in the country. It has been learnt that Afghanistan was dealing with severe political and social issues owing to the growing dominance of terrorism and other illegal conduct within the nation, which had also affected the economy, and development of the nation. Problems were also depicted in the border area between the two nations where there was increasing activities of terrorism that was affecting both the countries equally. Subsequently, these aspects have further influenced the Soviet to intervene into the internal matters of the country. In this regard, it has been learnt that during their stay in Afghanistan, leaders and military troops of the Soviet were getting considerable support from the local people and the political leaders. They have signed several treaties and mutual agreement that was beneficial for both the Soviet and Afghanistan. This aspect resulted positively for both the nation for a certain period. The Soviet was able to gain the trust of the people in Afghanistan to conduct their activities within the country efficiently. They also received the support of the local government of Kabul, capital of the nation. This further enabled them to conduct their operations efficiently and ensure positive changes within Afghanistan. As a result of such leadership approach from the participants, Afghanistan experienced social, economic and political development to a considerable extent altogether. Owing to this particular aspect, it is often depicted that leaders in the contemporary scenario need to learn lessons and understandings from the leadership approaches of the participants in the Afghan War. This essay presented some of the important lessons that the entire episode ensures for the contemporary leaders. These understanding acquired from the study will certainly be beneficial for the contemporary leaders in various domains in a considerable extent, especially with regard to their decision-making. Leaders can take into consideration, the experience of the eminent leaders and likewise can learn from their mistakes and improve their decision-making with regard to the present day environment. Moreover, the leaders of the contemporary world must also need to consider the efficiency and skills of the past leaders in decision-making, based upon which the contemporary leaders should undertake decisions. Hence, from the overall analysis of the paper, it can be depicted that the Soviets invasion upon Afghanistan is one of the most vital events that has taken place in the past, which included some of the most innovative planning and development strategies. This might further affect the balance of the society in a significant manner altogether. Works Cited Arnold, Anthony. Afghanistan: The Soviet Invasion in Perspective. US: Hoover Press, 1981. Print. Gibbs, David N. “Afghanistan: The Soviet Invasion in Retrospect”, 2000. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. Gandomi, Jonathan. “Lessons from the Soviet Occupation in Afghanistan for the United States and Nato”, 2008. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. Lyakhovskiy, Aleksandr Antonovich. “Inside the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and the Seizure of Kabul, December 1979”, 2007. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. “The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and the U.S. Response, 1978–1980.” United States Department of State, 2013. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. Wilson, Woodrow. “Documents on the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan”, 2001. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. Weinland, Robert G. “An (the?) Explanation of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan”, 1981. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. Read More