For The Atlantic, ICWA’s executive director and former fellow (Russia, 2000-2002) Gregory Feifer addresses President Donald Trump’s false statements about the Soviet war in Afghanistan, used to justify his plans to withdraw 7,000 troops from the country. Debunking Trump’s claim that “terrorists” going into Russia prompted the Soviet invasion, Feifer describes the real motive—propping up a flailing fellow Communist government—saying “Trump’s bid for short-term political gain by fulfilling a campaign promise to his radicalized right-wing electoral base will help free Russia’s hand, boost the Taliban and the Islamic State group, and put Afghanistan’s civilian population at greater risk, further threatening international security.”

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