The Shadowy Committee That Shaped Afghanistan's Future: A Retrospective On Charlie Wilson's War

Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson played a key role in the US government's covert support of the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War. Wilson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on foreign operations, used his position to secure a doubling of aid to the Mujahideen, channelling hundreds of millions of dollars to the Afghan resistance. Wilson's efforts, which included supplying the guerrillas with FIM-92 Stinger missile launchers, played a crucial role in forcing the Soviet Union to withdraw from Afghanistan in 1989.

Charlie Wilson's role in the covert CIA operation

Charlie Wilson was a Democratic congressman from Texas who played a key role in a covert CIA operation to support the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989). Wilson's involvement began when he read an Associated Press dispatch describing the plight of refugees fleeing Soviet-occupied Afghanistan. He was further encouraged by Joanne Herring, a romantic interest and conservative Houston socialite, who persuaded him to visit Pakistani leadership and a major Pakistan-based Afghan refugee camp. There, he witnessed first-hand the atrocities committed by the Soviets against the Afghan people, including children with hands blown off from Soviet-dropped mines. This experience left a deep impression on Wilson, who returned to the US determined to help the Afghan rebels fight the Soviets.

Wilson's position on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee enabled him to secure significant funding for the CIA's efforts to arm the mujahideen. He collaborated with CIA operative Gust Avrakotos, who was part of a small team at the agency assigned to the Afghanistan portfolio. Together, they worked to increase the CIA's anti-communism budget from $5 million to over $500 million (matched by Saudi Arabia), with Wilson's deft political bargaining ensuring the necessary funding. Wilson also enlisted the support of Israel and Egypt for Soviet weapons and consumables, and Pakistan, led by President Zia-ul-Haq, for the distribution of arms.

One of the most significant weapons Wilson helped provide to the mujahideen was the Stinger missile, which was used to shoot down Soviet helicopters and became a decisive factor in the war. By 1989, the Soviets had withdrawn from Afghanistan, and the US ended its support. Wilson's efforts contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. However, his role remains controversial, as most of the aid was supplied to Islamist hardliner Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who later allied with the Taliban.

The film adaptation of Charlie Wilson's War

The film stars Tom Hanks as Wilson, a Democrat congressman from Texas, alongside Julia Roberts as Joanne Herring, a conservative Houston socialite who encourages Wilson to help the Afghan people, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Avrakotos.

The film depicts Wilson as a hard-partying congressman who is inspired to help the Afghan freedom fighters by Herring, his romantic interest. Wilson uses his seat on the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the mujahideen, and enlists the support of Israel and Egypt for Soviet weapons and consumables, and Pakistan for distribution of arms.

The film grossed $119 million worldwide and received five nominations at the 65th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Hoffman was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 80th Academy Awards.

The book, Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History

Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History is a book by George Crile III, first published in 2003. It details the covert dealings of Texas congressman Charlie Wilson in Afghanistan, where he worked to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets.

The book describes how Wilson, a maverick congressman from East Texas, sat on the powerful House Defense Appropriations Committee. He was able to persuade his colleagues to allocate $10 million to fund the CIA's efforts to arm the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. This funding eventually grew to over $1 billion a year.

Wilson travelled to Pakistan with unusual companions, including a personal belly dancer and an ex-beauty queen. He was passionate about supporting the Afghans and was brilliant at getting deals done. He worked with a rogue CIA operative, Gust Avrakotos, who was on the fringe within the CIA, not being a traditional spy. Together, they ran one of the most successful covert operations ever mounted by the US government.

The book also introduces Joanne Herring, a Texas socialite and religious zealot who becomes romantically involved with Wilson. Herring assists Wilson with his personal relationship with the President of Pakistan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who was critical to the operation as he allowed an avenue into Afghanistan.

Wilson's covert operation succeeded because, as he said, "there was no partisanship or damaging leaks". However, the book also reveals the lasting negative consequences of the operation, as the Islamist fighters Wilson helped became the nucleus of the Taliban.

The book was well-received and appeared on the New York Times, Washington Post and Los Angeles Times bestseller lists. It was adapted into a film of the same name in 2007, starring Tom Hanks as Wilson.

The funding of the anti-Soviet Afghan war

In 1980, Wilson requested a two-fold increase in funding for Afghanistan, which was approved. He continued to increase the CIA's budget for its Afghan operations, securing an additional $40 million in 1983, $17 million of which was for anti-aircraft weapons. In 1984, Wilson agreed to provide a further $50 million, and also gave the Afghans $300 million of unused Pentagon money before the end of the fiscal year.

Wilson also collaborated with Israeli defence engineers to create and transport man-portable anti-aircraft guns into Pakistan. He enlisted the support of Israel, Egypt, and Pakistan to provide Soviet weapons and consumables, and to distribute arms. Wilson's efforts led to the CIA's anti-communism budget increasing from $5 million to over $500 million, with the same amount matched by Saudi Arabia.

Wilson's funding of the anti-Soviet Afghan war was depicted in the 2007 film 'Charlie Wilson's War', starring Tom Hanks as Wilson.

The impact of the operation on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by U.S. troops, has had a significant impact on the group's relationship with Al-Qaeda. The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has provided Al-Qaeda with a safe haven from which to launch international terrorist attacks.

The Taliban's return to power has also had a significant impact on the group's relationship with Al-Qaeda. The Taliban has a long history of providing safe haven to Al-Qaeda, and the two groups have maintained close ties since the 1990s. The Taliban's return to power has allowed Al-Qaeda to re-establish its presence in Afghanistan and use the country as a base for launching terrorist attacks.

The Taliban's return to power has also had a significant impact on the group's ability to carry out attacks. The Taliban has provided Al-Qaeda with access to resources and weapons, as well as a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks. The Taliban's control of Afghanistan has also allowed Al-Qaeda to expand its recruitment efforts and strengthen its global network.

The Taliban's return to power has also had a significant impact on the group's ability to evade detection and capture. The Taliban has provided Al-Qaeda with protection and support, making it more difficult for U.S. and international forces to track and target Al-Qaeda members. The Taliban's control of Afghanistan has also made it more difficult for U.S. and international forces to gather intelligence on Al-Qaeda's activities.

Overall, the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has had a significant impact on the group's relationship with Al-Qaeda, providing them with a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks, as well as resources and support to carry out their activities. The Taliban's return to power has also made it more difficult for U.S. and international forces to track and target Al-Qaeda members, making it more challenging to counter the threat posed by the group.

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