Intervene or invade. The Politburo decides not to use the Red Army to prop up the government, though they provide other assistance. They also stick to this decision.
This is pretty important. It means detente lasts longer.Intervene or invade. The Politburo decides not to use the Red Army to prop up the government, though they provide other assistance. They also stick to this decision.
What was the main motivator behind the invasion?
Exporting the revolution, protecting their southern border or maybe just resources? Not sure which the latter would be, though.
Afghan performance could be better as they don't see their own government as bunch of Soviet stooges. Besides that, the expenses of the war would be significantly reduced and that gives the Kremlin some more financial elbow room in the 80s. Particularly the latter half of the decade wasn't good for their economy. The USSR may still fall, but will definitely last longer, possibly well into the 1990s.