The Limits of Soviet Airpower: The Bear versus the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, 1979-1989

The manuscript examines the Soviet military's unsuccessful efforts to subdue the Afghan mujahideen during a nine-year occupation, highlighting the radicalization of their military strategy that led to a campaign of terror. It emphasizes the pivotal role of airpower in executing punitive operations, including bombardments and chemical attacks. The analysis reveals how a technologically inferior adversary compelled the withdrawal of a major military power, offering valuable insights into the limitations of airpower in counterinsurgency and its implications for modern military strategy.