Google 1970s Iran vs now. It’s an interesting contrast of how quickly societies can change; and some would argue, not towards the future but backwards.

    • commandar@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      The Soviets moreso than the US in the case of Afghanistan.

      The country actually received substantial modernization aid from both, but eventually went through a series of coups that culminated in the Soviet invasion of the country and the rise of the mujaheddin.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan#Barakzai_dynasty_and_British_wars

      The US isn’t blameless in how the country turned out, but it’s a much less direct line than it is with Iran.

      • Tryptaminev@lemm.ee
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        3 months ago

        The Sovjets came at the invitation of the current government of that time. Also Afghanistan being pushed towards the Sovjets is a result of the US propping up Pakistan, which was proxy-warring against Afghanistan.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet–Afghan_War

        I would argue all colonial powers are of similiar blame in repeatedly fucking Afghanistan over.

        • commandar@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          The Sovjets came at the invitation of the current government of that time.

          “The current government of that time” was a communist regime that seized power after multiple successive coups and was deeply unpopular in much of the country. While your statement is technically true, it leaves out a massive amount of context.

          I would argue all colonial powers are of similiar blame in repeatedly fucking Afghanistan over.

          That does get to the underlying point I was hinting at: imperialism is generally net harmful in all its flavors, whether that’s capitalist imperialism or communist imperialism.