In 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan. Unable to control the countryside with their initial thrust, they ended up occupying the country with 100,000 soldiers. With equipment not built for the environment and a lack of counter insurgency training, they were stymied at every turn by the Afghan insurgents, who hid within the local population. The Soviets were reduced to using ham-fisted, brutal tactics, which ended up inflaming the populace even further.
The Soviets were unable to build a loyal, competent Afghan army to replace its occupation forces. Back in the USSR, officials heaped scorn upon their puppet ruler Babrak Karmal, who had little influence outside the capital.
The war itself was unpopular with the Soviet citizens, particularly due to the draft. Their wishes and desires had no effect on the political machinery of the country.
Stop me when any of this sounds familiar.
Read More