Hey there, history buffs! Put on your time-travel helmets because we're zooming back to the 1970s and 80s to dig into why the Soviet Union decided to intervene in Afghanistan. 🚀

• People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Afghanistan: Pro-Soviet peeps who came to power in April 1978. Think of them like the buddy who invites you to a party but then makes things super awkward.

• Hafizullah Amin: Took charge of PDP in 1979. Tried to be modern, with reforms like land distribution and education. But, whoops, not everyone was into it!

• Mujahidin: Rebel fighters declaring "jihad" or holy war against Amin’s regime. Think "Star Wars rebels," but in Afghanistan.

• Babrak Karmal: The dude who replaced Amin and was SUPER pro-Soviet. He's like your friend's friend who you have to tolerate because your bestie thinks he's cool.

• Prevent Pro-Western State: The Soviets didn't want Afghanistan turning into a U.S. fan club.

  • Real-world example: Imagine if your best friend starts hanging out with your arch-enemy. You’d intervene, right?

• Avoid a Bloodbath: They thought if the "counter-revolutionaries" (AKA Mujahidin and friends) won, it would be carnage city.

  • Real-world example: It's like stopping a fight before it breaks out at a high school party.

• Threat to Soviet Security: Afghanistan shares a border with the USSR. They were worried the U.S. would camp out there.

  • Real-world example: Imagine if someone you don't like decides to move in next door to you. Uh-oh.

• Maintain Great Power Status: Basically, they thought if they chickened out of making hard decisions, they’d lose their "big kid on the block" status.

  • Real-world example: It's like being the captain of the football team. If you don't make tough calls, you’re out.

• Amin was acting shady, perhaps turning pro-Western, and even badmouthing the Soviets.
• Basically, the Soviets were worried they'd lose their influence and the revolution’s achievements in Afghanistan.