Asianometry How the Communists Took Afghanistan
Oct 5, 2025
In April 1978, a surprising Marxist-Leninist coup transformed Afghanistan into a Democratic Republic. The podcast delves into Afghanistan's strategic geography and its tumultuous history of external influences. It explores the modernization efforts by leaders like Abdur-Rahman Khan and the economic struggles that fueled discontent. The rise of the PDPA and the eventual coup highlight the tension between urban elites and rural populations. With the Soviets unexpectedly supportive, the aftermath of the takeover was filled with violence and uncertainty for Afghanistan's future.
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Geography Shapes Weak Central State
- Afghanistan's geography and tribal fragmentation make centralized taxation and state-building extremely difficult.
- Mountains, ethnic divisions, and self-governing tribes created a persistent decentralized state structure.
Rulers Survived On External Revenues
- Afghanistan relied heavily on external revenues because its heartland could not generate sufficient tax income.
- Rulers often survived by extracting tribute from wealthier neighboring regions or by foreign subsidies.
Soviet Aid Built Deep Influence
- The Soviet Union funded infrastructure and military ties to gain influence after Khrushchev.
- By the 1960s, Soviet aid and advisors had created deep Soviet ties within Afghanistan's military and economy.