The Morning After
"My fellow Americans, two days ago the world witnessed a act of unprovoked agression. The Kingdom of Afghanistan, a peaceful nation in central Asia suffered a coup attempt by socialists within the country's military. The coup was supported by the soviets, and because of it's failure, the Soviet Union launched a invasion of Afghanistan. We as a nation and as a people must oppose such a violent and damaging act to world peace. For the last five years my administration has worked hard in pursuit of peace. We've negotiated with the Soviets and i've spoken to Premier Brezhnev personnaly on countless occasions. Most recently yesterday, as i attempted to convince him to end this conflict. But the Soviet Union will not listen to reason, and so, Russian troops march on the once free lands of Afghanistan.
For that reason i appear here today, in front of the citizens of the United States, as well as all who might see this around the globe. I urge all of you to stand against opression, wherever it might be found. To Premier Brezhnev and the forces of the Soviet Union i say this: America will fight for justice. If not with soldiers, then with every other mean available to a free people. To the People of Afghanistan, i say this: We stand by your side. Thank you, and May God Bless the United States of America."
The speech above, made by President Kennedy two days after the soviet invasion marked a decisive moment in the history of the Cold War. In fact, a decisive moment in the history of the twentieth century itself.
The attack on the Soviet invasion of a Asian state is seem by some as ironic, considering the United States history with Vietnam. There's also, to this day, no proof that the Soviets were directly responsible for the coup attempt. In fact, evidence seems to point out that the conspirators acted largely in their own self and national interest. But they wouldn't let things like that get in the way of a good speech.
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Kennedy after a long call to Brezhnev in July 21st, 1973
Up to that point, Robert Kennedy had made himself into the negotiator. From day one of his presidency, he built the image of a man of peace, a man of words and speeches and promises. It was a image that had remained deeply popular with many. His ability to fulfill said promises, and mantain a level of profissionalism that in many ways his brother never could, ensured his appeal to the working man and the business man alike.
Had he been any other man, he might have responded to the beginning of the Soviet-Afghan war with the same course of action he held before. And if he had acted as such, perhaps he would've been deeply attacked by the hawks and conservative elements of the nation, even more then he arleady was. But this was a Kennedy, and being a Kennedy meant understanding the image necessary for the moment. The face and slogan that would best sell you to the american people. Kennedy had been the peacemaker and the negotiator.
Now he would play the fighter.
The relationship Kennedy had built with Premier Leonid Brezhnev would not survive following this point. The U.S. Government attitude toward's the Soviet Union would become one of near hostility, in ways not seem since Kennedy's victory in 1968.
As Kabul fell to soviet forces, and King Zahir fled to the United States, multiple plans would be set in motion to offer clandestine support to resistance groups within Afghanistan. That was a country of mountains, and opportunities would quickly arise. The most notorious would certainly prove to be Operation Tornado, run by the CIA.
Beginning in 1973, the Kennedy Administration would make one thing quite clear. To the chagrim of many, and to the approving eyes of others.
There would be no more Detente.
The Hopes and dream of the 1970's - 1973, Will Clinton
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To many, 1973 had arleady been a violent year. It started out with a big scare (and thankfully not a Bang) with the Second Border Conflict between China and the USSR. Then the Soviets would invade a neutral nation, leading to the American condemnation of the act and a souring of relations. Many ardent Kennedy supporters had been perplexed by the president's speech. His greatest accomplishement was arguably getting the U.S. out of a war in Asia, and now he as pushing the country into another conflict in a place most people couldn't point out in a map? The U.S. was finnaly cooling down the Cold War and now thing would get hot again? Other's claimed it was a clear defense of freedom around the globe. Many praised the president for his attack on the Soviet Union. "About damm time" more then a few certainly ushered after watching the speech. Regardless, things were changing.
And on October, they would change even more.
Yom Kippur is the most important day on the Jewish Calendar. A day of Penitance and fasting. On October 6, it would mark the beginning of a war. It would not, by any means, be a long war, or particularly bloody, but it would have massive repercussion around the globe
The situation of Israel by the early 1970's was precarious in the Middle East. Since it's foundation the country had suffered of constant hostilities with the Arab countries surrounding it. Be it a religious, geo-political or historical cause, the outcome is what matters, and what matter is that the region was as unstable as it could get.
The main rivals to Israel by that time were Egypt and Syria. Egypt, once the craddle and proudest of defenders of Pan-Arabism, had been humiliated in previous conflicts. It now desired to remedie that. Allying itself with the other top dog of the Middle East, and enjoying wide informal support of many other arab nation's, a attack would be launched on Israel on the day of October 6. The attack would seek to regain territory currently occupied by Israel. Particularly the eastern Sinai Bank for Egypt and Golan Heights for Syria. Although most experts doubt that the conflict had any intention of destroying Israel, like the previous wars did, there is no certainty to it.
The Outbreak of the war would be marked by a immediate response of the United States. For a long time the greatest supporter's of Israel, the U.S. now basking on a more agressive foreign policy would send ample financial and material support to Israel. Besides this, Military advisors would be travel to the country.
As the primordial laws of international relations dictate, the enemy of one's enemy is a friend. And so, as Israel was a ally of the United States, the Soviet Union would surely drift toward the Arab nations side. Premier Brezhnev would seek to match american support for Israel with a massive ammount of material support for both Egypt and Syria.
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Israeli artillery shelling Syrian forces during the conflict.
As the war turned into a stalemate through October, however, it seemed unlikely that any of the two superpowers would be drawn more directly into the conflict.
But the damage of the war would come to the United States, not by violence, but by Embargo.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
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Been some time since the last update. Sorry. Next update will cover the SCOTUS because i promised it and still haven't delivered. But it will come shortly.