Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast

Babrak Karmal is a failure and the Soviets know he has to be replaced if they are ever going to get a functioning Afghan government. Enter Muhammed Najibullah, a mass murdering psychopath. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Buy a shirt: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store Buy Joe's new book Citizen of Earth: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Earth-Galaxy-Joseph-Kassabian/dp/1949645347/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UP4API8XF65N&keywords=citizen+of+earth+joseph+kassabian&qid=1563190222&s=gateway&sprefix=citizen+of+earth%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

As the Soviet Union struggles in Afghanistan, U.S. involvement escalates dramatically, thanks in part to a controversial Texas congressman. The podcast dives into how the CIA's covert operations and funding strategies shifted the balance of power, including the pivotal role of Stinger missiles. Listeners learn about the complex web of U.S., Saudi, and Pakistani coordination that fueled the Afghan resistance. The discussion also touches on the unintended consequences of this support, warning of the long-term rise of militant forces and regional instability.

In a deep dive into the Soviet-Afghan War, discover how Tajik warlord Ahmed Shah Massoud challenged Soviet forces with guerrilla tactics and terrain advantages. The podcast highlights the miscalculations of Soviet leaders, logistical failures, and the troubling effects of their military strategies on civilians. Listen as they recount Massoud's tactical evolution, the catastrophic Selang Tunnel Disaster, and how brutal reprisals sparked greater resistance. The discussion also touches on the shifting dynamics of Afghan resistance and the ultimate failures of the Soviet campaign.

Another Afghan head of state is assassinated and replaced with an even more insane despot. The Soviets decide if anyone is going to assassinate the President, it is going to be THEM. Support the show and get bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys If you're a military sci fi fan buy Joe's book Citizen of Earth: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Earth-Galaxy-Joseph-Kassabian/dp/1949645347/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UC12MRLI20M7&keywords=citizen+of+earth+joseph+kassabian&qid=1561376068&s=gateway&sprefix=citizen+of+ear%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-1 Buy some shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store

Dive into the chaotic beginnings of the Soviet Afghan War, where overthrown King Zahir Shah's throne leads to rivalries, purges, and a clash of ideologies. The narrative unfolds with Daoud Khan's bold coup, revealing his struggles to balance Soviet influence with Afghan independence. Tensions rise as the PDPA introduces sweeping reforms, alienating rural populations and sparking backlash. Plus, witness the deadly rivalry between Taraki and Amin, culminating in dramatic power shifts and concerns from the Soviets about instability.

You sent us questions and we answered them. Things got weird. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Buy a shirt: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store Buy Citizen of Earth: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Earth-Galaxy-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B07NSMFSHN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

On this entry into the DRS Joe and Travis read Max Boot's "Why winning and losing are irrelevant in Syria and Afghanistan" from the Washington Post. It might just be the dumbest fucking thing ever read for the show. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Buy a shirt: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store Follow us on twitter @lions_by

On this episode more inbred people beef over turf, English longbowmen drowned French knights in shallow puddles, and Joe mispronounces everything to do with England. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Buy Joe's book: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Earth-Galaxy-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B07NSMFSHN/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=citizen+of+earth&qid=1558956418&s=gateway&sr=8-1 Buy a teeshirt: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store follow us on twitter: @lions_by sources: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8648068/Battle-of-Agincourt-ten-reasons-why-the-French-lost.html https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03044181.2016.1236504

Joe, Nick, and Rich tell the stories of Sergeant Stubby, Chief Dog Sinbad, and Corporal Wojtek BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL SUCH GOOD BOYS. Buy Joe's new Military Sci Fi Novel Citizen of Earth: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Earth-Galaxy-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B07NSMFSHN/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1OWAX5TWGSTT6&keywords=citizen+of+earth+joseph+kassabian&qid=1558351936&s=gateway&sprefix=citizen+of+earth%2Caps%2C294&sr=8-1-fkmrnull Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys buy some shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store Follow us on twitter: @lions_by sources: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/history/chief-dog-sinbad-cheerful-brave-coast-guard-mascot-ww2.html https://www.navalhistory.org/2019/03/21/sinbad-the-dog-behind-the-legend

James McCormick tricked the Iraqi government into buying tens of millions of dollars worth of dowsing rods to find bombs. Hilarity did not ensue. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Buy a shirt: https://teespring.com/stores/lions-led-by-donkeys-store follow us on twitter: @lions_by sources: https://slate.com/technology/2013/04/dowsing-for-bombs-maker-of-useless-bomb-detectors-convicted-of-fraud.html https://borderlandsciences.org/journal/vol/ie/Janks_Empirical_Evidence_for_Dowsing.html https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/world/middleeast/04sensors.html