Afghanistan is kind of like Iraq for America. Here are some similarities:
1) Russia is way supperior to Afghanistan; USA - to Iraq
2) They both sent a relatively small amount of forces
3) Afghans and Iraqies are not trained and fight guerilla war
4) They have no offencive, and therefore have no way of winning
Now, the differences:
1) Americans dont really seem to realize that there is no effective way to win against guerilla tactics with out sending more forces.
2) Russians realized that and withdrew
3) Americans went for oil, Russians went for i dont even wanna know what (probably some political bullshit)
(Im talking back in 1988-9) Basically, Russians can walk around Afghanistan, but there is a risk of hostile fighters hiding out in the general population, and no reason to stay so they left. It was not really a defeat, because Russians can do what ever they want with the land, or what ever else Afghans have (which is not much), but is it really worth it? Not really.
Americans in Iraq - stay for oil, and to "liberate" the people (right...). Its all about oil, if it wasnt for the oil they'd probably leave by now. Would they have been defeated? No.
It can also be compared to Vietnam, but only to the extend that in Vietnam - Russians helped the vietnamiese, in Afghan - US helped Afghans. Also, America REALLY did not do good in Nam, it was a massive screw up.
Quote:Japanese casualties are really high because a Jap soldier will NEVER surrender, remember that ... just a really few of them have shamfully stop fighting. Even without munitions, a jap keep fighting !
... Yeah... what about strategy? training? weapons? They were inferior in all of those aspects to Russians and Americans, and maybe even French.
Quote: Well? The invincible Red Army wasnt able to defeat resistance fighters.
What are you smoking? If Russia lost in Afghan, then Allies lost WW2, US lost in Iraq, etc... wow, just... wow...
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Those were Afghans who used the missiles, not American.
Would it have made a difference? it's a point and shoot weapon. A mere teenager could use it with efficiency.
Yeah, its somewhat true. Where would they get missiles? Probably China (who copy other's weapons), or USA, cause nobody else can make decent weapons, other then Russia - who for sure would not sell weapons to Afghans.
Quote:The USSR won every skirmish which it encountered, the only time the rebels scored victories was when they ambushed convoys. I know you'll disagree with this point, if so, I suggest you try and look for a battle in which the Soivets suffered a 'defeat'.
Not really... If an ambushed convoy retreats, its not really a defeat, because the next day infantry/air force comes in and wipes every body out. Or just air support arrives and wipes everybody out. (if they make it on time) Only if everybody in the convoy is killed or captured, and the cargo they might be carrying is captured or restryoed, then it can be considered a defeat. I dont think it really occured alot, if at all.