“We Will Not Change Our Attitude Towards You, Until You Change Your Attitude Towards Us”. How Washington Considered the Reaction of Western European Communist Parties to The Events in Afghanistan, 1978–1985

The invasion of a limited contingent Soviet troops into Afghanistan at the end 1979 caused mixed reaction among Communist parties in Europe. Some them subject actions USSR leadership to sharp criticism. article reveals what extent US administration was aware critical attacks against and CPSU by most powerful Western European determine how factor Eurocommunism influenced Afghan vector policy 1979-1982 American course turned out for themselves. study is based on published documents (including electronic collections) Administration President United States J. Carter, State Department, Central Intelligence Agency States, as well unpublished Committee from funds Russian Archive Modern History, press materials memoirs. It concluded that 1) military units provoked fierce battle superpowers periphery Cold War, fact, became its peak; 2) one results operation deeper split world communist movement with subsequent decline; 3) sought take advantage escalated disagreements between Party Union largest Europe (especially Italian, lesser Spanish French) encouraged Communists aimed distancing themselves severing relations USSR. At same time, Washington avoided public statements could look like manifestation solidarity (primarily ICP), including relation Afghanistan, giving priority exclude completely possibility communists participate governments NATO states. Such policy, background ongoing war decline USSR's international prestige, contributed isolation their countries weakening electoral opportunities.