3. Operation Cyclone
Between 1979 and 1989, the CIA’s Operation Cyclone covertly armed and financed Afghan mujahideen fighters to counter the Soviet invasion. Initially, the program provided modest support, but by 1987, funding escalated to $630 million annually, making it one of the most expensive covert operations in history. The U.S. supplied advanced weaponry, including FIM-92 Stinger missiles, which significantly impacted the Soviet military’s air superiority. This support not only contributed to the Soviet withdrawal but also influenced the region’s future dynamics, indirectly aiding the rise of groups like the Taliban.
