alternatehistory.com
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
On the hot summer of 1973, while the United States looked within, trouble was brewing on Central Asia.
The Kingdom of Afghanistan was still a relatively new realm, not even half a century old. A successor to the ancient Emirate of Afghanistan, the Kingdom had adopted a more secular outlook, as it tried to modernize and compete with its neighbors. It's King by the 1970's was Mohammed Zahir shah, a reformer who sought to bring his nation to the global stage.
As the people faced a large crisis in unemployment and governmental inneficiency, unrest grew. Students would protest regularly on the streets of Kabul, and many academics would criticize the ancient institution that was the monarchy.
It was not only among the civilian population that unrest grew. Within the military, many officers were discontent with what they assumed was unfair promotions and treatment. Special connections and family relationships seemed to matter more than competence and experience. Therefore, within the army and the modernizing Air force, a deep dislike towards the current administration was sowed.
This insatisfaction had not gone unnoticed to Afghanistan's neighbors in the North. The Soviet Union had, for years, done much to influence and aid in the grow of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, more commonly referred to as the PDPA. The Party now attracted followers within many groups of society.
In the middle of all this was Mohammed Daoud Khan, former Prime Minister and a cousin to the King. A reformer at heart, Khan stood for modernization and civil rights for the people. A longtime political player, Khan would do much to distance his image from that of his cousin, positioning himself as the progressive voice of the country.
Mohammed Daoud Khan
It's not known exactly when Khan began to plot a coup, but most experts agree it was not long before the fact. The Kings cousin would ally himself with many discontent army officers, and civil servants affiliated to the PDPA. Almost all of these belonged to the Parcham faction of the party, a more moderate group that supported a gradual move towards socialism. The main military leader of the coup was Air Force Colonel Abdul Qadir, a longtime supporter of increased relationships between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
The plan was for a quick and bloodless coup by mid-July, taking advantage of the King's absence, as he was in Italy performing eye surgery. As the King recovered from the succesful surgery in Rome, however, he decided he would return early to his Kingdom. Such decision complicated matters, but the plan was put in motion anyway.
On July 17th, Forces loyal to Colonel Qadir moved on the Royal palace, as Khan proclaimed a Republic on the Radio, with himself as it's leader. They expected the king to peacefully surrender to the Colonel Forces, and abdicate. That was not the result. As the forces approached the Palace and news form their intent quickly reached the guards, the palatial forces opened fire on the advancing army. The skirmish would cost the lifes of over 20 soldiers and 7 Palatial guards, as the former's found themselves unable to advance on the palace.
King Zahir would quickly call on the loyal army, which still consisted of the majority of the forces, to arrest the rebels attempting to seize the palace, as well as Qadir, much of the PDPA leadership, and his cousin Khan.
As loyalist forces quickly surrounded Qadir's troops on Kabul, they had no choice but to surrender to the superior numbers. Qadir, however, not being present, fled west and then North with a contingent of forces still loyal to him.
The following days would be some of great turmoil, as the King and his loyal forces had most of the PDPA leadership, and many intellectuals and army officers deemed untrustworthy arrested. His cousin, Daoud Khan, would be found attempting to escape Kabul, the day following the failed coup, and shot while trying to flee.
News of Khan death prompted Qadir to fly north to try to gain support of Afghanistan's northern neighbors to their cause.
And support would come, as on July 20th, 1973, two Soviet Armies entered Afghanistan, with the intent of "Aiding the revolution ongoing within the proud Nation".
Under orders from Premier Brezhnev, the "Soviet Liberation of Afghanistan" would commence.
Tales from the Kremlin - Brezhnev, Georgy Zhulovich
...................
Hope every enjoys! SCOTUS coming later.
On the hot summer of 1973, while the United States looked within, trouble was brewing on Central Asia.
The Kingdom of Afghanistan was still a relatively new realm, not even half a century old. A successor to the ancient Emirate of Afghanistan, the Kingdom had adopted a more secular outlook, as it tried to modernize and compete with its neighbors. It's King by the 1970's was Mohammed Zahir shah, a reformer who sought to bring his nation to the global stage.
As the people faced a large crisis in unemployment and governmental inneficiency, unrest grew. Students would protest regularly on the streets of Kabul, and many academics would criticize the ancient institution that was the monarchy.
It was not only among the civilian population that unrest grew. Within the military, many officers were discontent with what they assumed was unfair promotions and treatment. Special connections and family relationships seemed to matter more than competence and experience. Therefore, within the army and the modernizing Air force, a deep dislike towards the current administration was sowed.
This insatisfaction had not gone unnoticed to Afghanistan's neighbors in the North. The Soviet Union had, for years, done much to influence and aid in the grow of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, more commonly referred to as the PDPA. The Party now attracted followers within many groups of society.
In the middle of all this was Mohammed Daoud Khan, former Prime Minister and a cousin to the King. A reformer at heart, Khan stood for modernization and civil rights for the people. A longtime political player, Khan would do much to distance his image from that of his cousin, positioning himself as the progressive voice of the country.
Mohammed Daoud Khan
It's not known exactly when Khan began to plot a coup, but most experts agree it was not long before the fact. The Kings cousin would ally himself with many discontent army officers, and civil servants affiliated to the PDPA. Almost all of these belonged to the Parcham faction of the party, a more moderate group that supported a gradual move towards socialism. The main military leader of the coup was Air Force Colonel Abdul Qadir, a longtime supporter of increased relationships between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
The plan was for a quick and bloodless coup by mid-July, taking advantage of the King's absence, as he was in Italy performing eye surgery. As the King recovered from the succesful surgery in Rome, however, he decided he would return early to his Kingdom. Such decision complicated matters, but the plan was put in motion anyway.
On July 17th, Forces loyal to Colonel Qadir moved on the Royal palace, as Khan proclaimed a Republic on the Radio, with himself as it's leader. They expected the king to peacefully surrender to the Colonel Forces, and abdicate. That was not the result. As the forces approached the Palace and news form their intent quickly reached the guards, the palatial forces opened fire on the advancing army. The skirmish would cost the lifes of over 20 soldiers and 7 Palatial guards, as the former's found themselves unable to advance on the palace.
King Zahir would quickly call on the loyal army, which still consisted of the majority of the forces, to arrest the rebels attempting to seize the palace, as well as Qadir, much of the PDPA leadership, and his cousin Khan.
As loyalist forces quickly surrounded Qadir's troops on Kabul, they had no choice but to surrender to the superior numbers. Qadir, however, not being present, fled west and then North with a contingent of forces still loyal to him.
The following days would be some of great turmoil, as the King and his loyal forces had most of the PDPA leadership, and many intellectuals and army officers deemed untrustworthy arrested. His cousin, Daoud Khan, would be found attempting to escape Kabul, the day following the failed coup, and shot while trying to flee.
News of Khan death prompted Qadir to fly north to try to gain support of Afghanistan's northern neighbors to their cause.
And support would come, as on July 20th, 1973, two Soviet Armies entered Afghanistan, with the intent of "Aiding the revolution ongoing within the proud Nation".
Under orders from Premier Brezhnev, the "Soviet Liberation of Afghanistan" would commence.
Tales from the Kremlin - Brezhnev, Georgy Zhulovich
...................
Hope every enjoys! SCOTUS coming later.