Question

question 8 of 10

why did the united states send aid to the mujahideen in afghanistan during the soviet-afghan war?

a. the reagan administration wanted to limit the soviet unions influence in the middle east.
b. the reagan administration wanted to bankrupt the soviet union.
c. the reagan administration wanted to establish a democratic government in the middle east.
d. the reagan administration wanted to establish a muslim government in the middle east.

Explanation:

Analyze the US foreign policy context

Using the Soviet-Afghan War US Involvement knowledge point, the primary motivation of the United States in supporting the mujahideen was to counter Soviet expansionism. Under the Carter and Reagan administrations, the US sought to contain Soviet power and prevent the USSR from gaining a strategic foothold near the oil-rich Persian Gulf.

Evaluate the strategic goals of Operation Cyclone

Using the Operation Cyclone knowledge point, the covert program aimed to make the intervention as costly as possible for the Soviet Union. By supplying weapons and financial aid, the US sought to drain Soviet military and economic resources, effectively turning Afghanistan into the Soviet Union's own "Vietnam." This strategy was designed to weaken and ultimately bankrupt the Soviet Union.

Assess the incorrect options

• Option A is incorrect because the primary focus was countering the Soviet Union directly rather than just limiting general influence in the Middle East.
• Option C is incorrect because establishing a democratic government was not a realistic or primary goal of supporting the conservative, religious mujahideen fighters.
• Option D is incorrect because the US did not actively seek to establish a Muslim government; the alliance was purely a pragmatic Cold War strategy to oppose Soviet forces.

Answer:

• (A) The Reagan administration wanted to limit the Soviet Union's influence in the Middle East.
• (B) The Reagan administration wanted to bankrupt the Soviet Union. (Correct answer)
• (C) The Reagan administration wanted to establish a democratic government in the Middle East.
• (D) The Reagan administration wanted to establish a Muslim government in the Middle East.