Publication

This paper analyzes Soviet military experiences in fighting a variety of Muslim combatants in Afghanistan in 1979-1989, and assesses the significance of the Soviet experiences for Russian defense reform. The author outlines the tactics, structure, and equipment employed by Soviet forces in Afghanistan, and provides an analysis and classification of armed opposition groups. He concludes with a listing of 15 lessons learned from Soviet experiences in Afghanistan, and discusses their significance for NATO-Russia relations and NATO's engagement in Afghanistan.