The late 80s saw a surge in
the anti-Soviet measures by CIA. William Casey, the CIA chief devised a three-point plan
to defeat the Soviets. Firstly, he provided the Mujahideen with Stinger anti-aircraft
missiles to shoot down the Soviet warplanes. He also provided trainers for the fighters.
It was an interesting move because the US weapons or personnel had never been used in a
full-fledged war. The second point
was a frontal assault on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by the CIA, MI6 of Britain and
Pakistan’s ISI. The two small countries were the channels of supplies to the Soviet
troops.
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The third point was a commitment of support to ISI for recruiting Islamic fighters all over the world. They were encouraged to fight with the Mujahideen.
Thus, the CIA effectively used their strategies to show the picture of a united Muslim world fighting the Soviet troops.
Bin Laden, the Mujahideen and the CIA, all treaded the same path in the 80s with a common goal – to oust the Soviets. Bin Laden and the CIA worked in tandem to build the Khost tunnel complex and form a base for the Mujahideen. It had facilities for storing arms, training fighters and treating affected Mujahideen. |
The actual cause of the acrimony between
America and Bin Laden was the entry of American troops in the Arab peninsula. He turned
all his efforts against America. He saw America as an anti-Islamic bully. The CIA, on the
other hand, understood Bin Laden’s plans and set up a cell to monitor his activities.
The then US president Bill Clinton signed the Anti-Terrorism Act authorizing the US to
freeze Bin Laden’s assets.
Bin Laden gave America a shock by stating
his intentions to use chemical weapons against them. Bin Laden also garnered enough
support against America from the Taliban government. He had found a good ally and a safe
shelter against the CIA. The fighter who was nurtured and given shape to fight their cause
when the need arose went on to turn the tables on America. |
