FROM AFGHANISTAN TO UKRAINE: HISTORICAL INSIGHTS INTO U.S. STRATEGIES AGAINST RUSSIAN EXPANSIONISM IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND EUROPE, 1979 – 2022

DOI 10.17721/2521-1706.2024.18.7

Yasin Yildirim,

Ph.D. student, Social Sciences University of Ankara, Ankara, Republic of Turkiye

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8926-3517

Abstract. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the positive and negative aspects of the USA’s overt and covert aid operations and cooperation against Russia’s expansionist policies in different parts of the world for decades in the light of historical and contemporary data. The advantages and disadvantages of American interventions against Russian expansionism will be analyzed by comparing the Cyclone Operation conducted by the CIA during the Soviet-Afghan War between 1979–1989 and the comprehensive security cooperation package initiated with Ukraine during the Russian occupation of Ukraine from 2022 onwards. This paper argues that Operation Cyclone was a beneficial action/process as it prevented the fall of Afghanistan, paved the way for the collapse of the Soviet Union, halted Russian expansionism in the Greater Middle East and created a barrier against authoritarian/despotic regimes. Although the operation has some negative effects and flaws that persist to this day, it is remembered as a powerful and effective weapon against Russian expansionism. Moreover, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from 2022 onwards and the USA’s initiation of a wide-ranging process of assistance and cooperation in response to this invasion once again demonstrate the symbolic and real value of Operation Cyclone. Methodology. The study is based on qualitative research methods.

The novelty of the research. Although there are many works on Operation Cyclone, a new and original work will be produced by combining this operation and the ongoing war in Ukraine. In conclusion, the paper argues that in the current Russia-Ukraine War, the positive aspects of Operation Cyclone can be leveraged to provide assistance to Ukraine in order to once again achieve victory against Russian expansionism. This study comparatively analyzes two different wars in two different periods, establishes a logical correlation, and looks at the USA interventions from a new perspective.

Key words: USA, Operation Cyclone, USSR, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russian expansionism.

Submitted: 14.08.2024

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