An Analysis Of Ronald Reagan's Operation Cyclone

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States of America, came into presidency in the midst of an intense Cold War. He came up with a strategy called the Reagan Doctrine, whose aim was to contain the global influence of the Soviet Union and to end the Cold War. It also tried to prevent any more expansions the USSR might make throughout the world. During the majority of the Cold War, there were no direct open military conflict between the US and the Soviet Union. However, there were many instances in which the Cold War may have turned into a real war. Ronald Reagan and the Central Intelligence Agency proposed a program called Operation Cyclone. Ever since the USSR invaded Afghanistan with aims of installing pro-Soviet government, there were many insurgent groups, such as the Mujahideen, fighting Soviet troops.

The goal of Operation Cyclone was to support these insurgent groups in fighting the Soviets. Operation Cyclone gave the Mujahedeen humanitarian aid and communication equipment, but it proved to be not enough. They then supplied them with cheap and effective launchers that would take down helicopters that the Soviets struggle to maintain, as they were immensely expensive. Operation Cyclone was successful, as it depleted the Soviet’s moral and their money. Ronald Reagan played a large role in the turning point of the Cold War. His plan drove the Soviet out of Afghanistan and depleted much of their moral, making them weaker. Their weakness would later play a role in the collapse of the USSR and the end of the Cold