In this PSMLS class from September 13, 2022, we studied the history of Afghanistan, particularly the history of the so-called “Soviet-Afghan War” and the socialist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan that lasted from 1978 to 1992. We also briefly touched on the history of the formations of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 20 years war in Afghanistan and the current state of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” and the Afghan people. The history of any and all socialist states that have existed is critically important for us as modern day Marxist-Leninists to understand.
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Literature used in class:
"Afghanistan, Washington’s Secret War" by Phillip Bonosky, released in 1985.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:27 Preface from General Secretary of the Party of Communists USA, Angelo D’Angelo
1:37 Section 1 of reading, “Antique Land” chapter; Background on Afghan history
9:31 Amin’s Faction in Saur Revolution, History of Factions in Revolutions
12:34 CIA making Kingdom of Afghanistan purge communists in military
14:50 Khalqists and Parchamis
16:27 Impact that Imperialism and Colonialism on Middle East
18:04 What is a nation, Marxism & National Question
18:48 A legitimate revolution
20:23 Section 2 of reading, “What Happened in December” chapter; USSR & Afghanistan pre-1979
26:29 China’s support for Mujahideen, Maoist Insurgent Groups, Iran’s support for Shia Mujahideen
27:50 Why would China back the mujahideen? (Q&A)
28:29 China’s opposition to anything Soviets supported
28:54 When did events take place? (Q&A)
30:22 Instances of China’s support for counter-revolutionary movements to get control over international communist movement
31:40 China was on the same side as the US.
32:40 Amin closed all the mosques
33:41 What made the Saur Revolution premature? (Q&A)
34:12 Was a native born revolution, not USSR instigated.
34:59 Revolution came from urban intelligentsia and military officers.
36:28 No masses no revolution. No trade unions, no revolution.
37:04 Afghanistan has never been united
39:00 We don’t mourn monarchists
39:43 Is ultra-left factionalism what's happening right now in Chile.
39:57 Problem in Chile is that it is not a proletarian constitution.
41:50 Section 3 of reading, “Arms to the Rebels: No, Perhaps and then Reagan” chapter; Beginnings of US intervention in Afghanistan
47:46 CIA gave weapons to Osama bin Laden
51:36 Taliban takeover in 2021 is a result of US imperialism
52:50 US funded Saddam Hussein at same time as Mujahideen
54:05 Why US turned on Saddam Hussein.
56:01 Gulf War was partially responsible for Al-Qaeda’s hostility towards US
57:14 What is a better way of messaging that capitalism is the issue? (Q&A)
58:30 Explain to them dialectical materialism
59:29 Capitalists are not united
1:01:01 Final section of reading, written by PSMLS; Taliban Takeover, 9/11 and 20 years war
1:10:16 Background on the Dulles brothers
1:11:22 US backed Afghanistan government lasted less time than the anarchist Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
1:12:30 Dulles brothers involvement in Nazi collusion
1:13:12 Opium production in Afghanistan
1:13:50 Heroin/Fentanyl epidemic could be a CIA operation
1:14:38 Taliban outlawed opium production in 2000
1:14:50 Most 9/11 deaths were because workers were not given PPE
1:15:10 Better living conditions for Afghan people under DRA
