Operation Cyclone

Operation Cyclone was a covert CIA operation during the late 1970s and 1980s aimed at supporting Afghan mujahideen fighters in their struggle against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. The U.S. provided money, weapons, and training to these insurgents to help them resist Soviet control. This operation was part of the larger Cold War strategy to counter Soviet influence globally. Ultimately, it contributed to the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, but also played a role in the region's future conflicts, influencing the rise of various extremist groups.