Originally posted by WhiteHawk
Its easier to understand if you classify it properly. The USSR defeated the Afgan militarily but lost in its bid to occupy the country. Just like the US defeated saddams army militarily but will lose in its bid to occupy iraq. Wars are easy to win for the mighty US and former USSR, its the occupation that is so difficult.
Not exactly true. USSR couldn't defeat Afghani miltary because both Soviet Army and local government forces fought together on one side.
There was no occupation technically, there was no Soviet administration installed, even temporarily.
Even with US, China and Iran supporting terrorists - most of the country was under control of government forces and/or Soviet Army.
The total number of forces involved in operations in Afganistan was sometimes two times smaller then current US presence in Iraq. Afghanistan is about two times bigger then Iraq, and has two times more population, plus you can compare the terrain. And noone was kidnapping foreign diplomats in Afghanistan in 80-89.