Operation Cyclone

As the Taliban advances in Afghanistan in 2021, I think about lessons NOT taught in history classes but should be.  Operation Cyclone 1978, was “one of the longest and most expensive covert CIA operations ever undertaken.” The US funded the extreme Islamic group the mujahideen to counter the Soviets in the Cold war.  Still with me? 

Some simple points I would make IF I could teach this:

  1. The mujahideen wanted to stop the progress of educating women, prevent re-distribution of land to farmers, preserve ancient fundamental religious ideologies.

  2. The US was on board because the mujahideen went against the Soviet Union.

  3. The US sent billions to this group as well as ‘non-US weapons’ as to not be detected.

  4. The mujahideen, although different, became the even more radical Taliban we see today.

  5. Why this matters- Same lame, simple blame game rhetoric is used in 2021 as it was in 2001. Sure -blame the current president, and every democratic and republican prez since the 1970’s.

  6. Until we start teaching- and taking responsibility for US foreign policies, we will continually find ourselves in a nightmare groundhog day sort of loop.

Now, this gets more complicated, but I think it is important to teach accuracy.  When I have heard students defend the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and then Iraq, I wanted them to defend a position based on historical content not current political rhetoric. Actually taking time to teach some of the complexities of the middle east is not easy- and absolutely vital for critical thinking-decision making, and absolutely vacant from teaching it in schools.  

Realistically, this will not be in social studies curriculum.  Why would it? Critical thinking might reduce an army.  And the responses I get, if I even breached the topic (off topic of course), of US backed radical groups? I usually got three responses- apathy, curiosity, and antagonism.  Apathy, because these kids have problems of their own.  Understandable.  Curiosity, those who wonder why this is not taught in school.  They are curious and then get bogged down with 6 other classes so… no time to delve.  Antagonism due to students that see any perceived criticism of the US as anit-US.  

Same response every time from critics: “they (Taliban) cover their women,” Saddam was a terrorist, and the US is helping with infrastructure. 

sigh- the US prevented further liberation of women by supporting the mujahideen, the US backed Saddam in the 1980’s, and who needs help with infrastructure? Them or us? 

Instead of exploring the conversation, I get huffy students claiming- I therefore-must be a communist.  End of discussion. 

Bell rings- class over.  Many prior antagonists have wanted more conversations which I respect. Once you pass an initial shock- intelligent students start to question and appreciate being challenged.  They begin to see some of my logic which is to help the US by creating more historically savvy students.

I use this analogy to sidetrack students:  “You athletes, musicians, writers… do you want to be told how great you are all the time or do you appreciate criticism?”  Nearly 100% of serious athletes, for example, say they want some criticism. “Why?” So we can improve.  “Exactly.” 

If you get sick, do you keep going to different doctors until you hear you are well? Or do you hear the bad news and begin to remedy the situation?  

The truly tragic part for me is that I wanted to teach this stuff.  I felt hamstrung, but then watching students go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq with no real rational is on me.  I should have fought more for them to understand the situation better.  I caved into data collecting and standard tests.  Their real test was war itself.  I wish I had been a stronger cyclone. 

Operation cyclone- counterclockwise winds of change.   

There is a documentary Cold War series- CNN- (if you critics can get past that), that shows live interviews and footage.  Powerful primary resources not easily disputed. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cyclone