Blowback S4 Episode 4 - "They're Yours Now"
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Nov 29, 2023 The podcast explores Operation Cyclone and the Reagan administration's strategy in supporting the Afghan insurgency against the Soviets. It discusses the impact of the Soviet peace initiative, the leadership change in the USSR, and the involvement of Western diplomats in the Afghan war. The influence of neoconservatives and the increased activity in Operations Cyclone are also explored. Additionally, the development of the Stinger missile, FBI surveillance, and the negotiations and withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan are discussed.
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Soviet Peace Initiative and US Resistance
- The Soviet Union, under Yuri Andropov, desperately sought peace talks regarding Afghanistan at the UN in 1983.
- However, the Reagan administration actively undermined these efforts, viewing Andropov's peace initiatives with suspicion.
Western Strategy of Prolonging the War
- Some Western diplomats favored prolonging the war while offering the Soviets unacceptable negotiation terms.
- This strategy aimed to weaken the Soviets and secure a more favorable outcome.
Egyptian Weapons Demonstration
- Charlie Wilson witnessed a disastrous weapons demonstration in Egypt involving backward-walking mules.
- Despite the embarrassment, the visit yielded valuable insights into terrorist devices like bicycle bombs.