Some of the responsibility for the religious and political upheaval in Afghanistan today is traceable to the US intervention in thecountry during the Cold War. After the Soviets invaded the country and took control, Afghanistan became a battleground for East Westdisputes.

The CIA mounted the largest-ever operation in Afghanistan including training and arming militant Islamic groups with sophisticatedweapons. But in addition to being anti-Soviet, the Mujahidin, were anti-Western in general, and anti-American in particular. With thedefeat of the Soviets in Afghanistan, many of the Mujahidin, turned their antagonism west. Osama Bin Laden was only one of those whoreceived CIA support and later turned that expertise against Washington.

Guests:

• Sonali Kolhatkar, on the Board of Directors for the Afghan Women’s Mission.
• Jim Ingalls, author of a recent article in Z Magazine '”Smart” Sanctions On Afghanistan' and on the Board of Directorsof the Afghan Women’s Mission.