C O L D W A R I N T E R N A T I O N A L H I S T O R Y P R O J E C T
W O R K I N G P A P E R # 5 1
Inside the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
and the Seizure of Kabul, December 1979
By Aleksandr Antonovich Lyakhovskiy
Translations by Gary Goldberg and Artemy Kalinovsky
January 2007
THE COLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT
WORKING PAPER SERIES
Christian F. Ostermann, Series Editor
This paper is one of a series of Working Papers published by the Cold War
International History Project of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in
Washington, D.C. Established in 1991 by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation, the Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) disseminates
new information and perspectives on the history of the Cold War as it emerges from
previously inaccessible sources on “the other side” of the post-World War II superpower
rivalry. The project supports the full and prompt release of historical materials by
governments on all sides of the Cold War, and seeks to accelerate the process of
integrating new sources, materials and perspectives from the former “Communist bloc”
with the historiography of the Cold War which has been written over the past few
decades largely by Western scholars reliant on Western archival sources. It also seeks
to transcend barriers of language, geography, and regional specialization to create new
links among scholars interested in Cold War history. Among the activities undertaken by
the project to promote this aim are a periodic BULLETIN to disseminate new findings,
views, and activities pertaining to Cold War history; a fellowship program for young
historians from the former Communist bloc to conduct archival research and study Cold
War history in the United States; international scholarly meetings, conferences, and
seminars; and publications.
The
CWIHP Working Paper Series is designed to provide a speedy publications
outlet for historians associated with the project who have gained access to newly-
available archives and sources and would like to share their results. We especially
welcome submissions by junior scholars from the former Communist bloc who have
done research in their countries’ archives and are looking to introduce their findings to a
Western audience. As a non-partisan institute of scholarly study, the Woodrow Wilson
Center takes no position on the historical interpretations and opinions offered by the
authors. This CWIHP Working Paper has been made possible by generous support from
the Korea Foundation, the Henry L. Luce Foundation, and other private donors.
Those interested in receiving copies of the Cold War International History Project
Bulletin or any of the Working Papers should contact:
Cold War International History Project
Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20523
Telephone: (202) 691-4110
Fax: (202) 691-4001
Email: coldwar@wilsoncenter.org
CWIHP Web Page: http://www.cwihp.org
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Christian F. Ostermann, Series Editor
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