They don't mention that was Nothern Alliance that "defeated" USSR, not Taliban
They also don't mention Russian howitzers of the 201st division, that smash them from behind Pianj every time they start to behave badly.
The whole Soviet Afgan "adventure" was a mistake from the very beginning, and a great success of American diplomacy. In 1988 USSR had control over most of Afghanistan, and it was not the "victory" of Afghan rebels, but a plain treason by Gorbachev and his pro-Western party. The withdrawal in winter 1988-89 was a disaster that caused enormous losses compared to the previous years...
Afghanistan became a huge trap for the USSR in 1973, when a king was overthrown by his cousin, who declared "democratic changes" only to get American aid, while King was pro-Soviet. April revolution in 1978 made things even worse. Afghans literaly crawled at the feet of the Soviet government to get military assistance, they asked for it many times, and USSR finaly sent troops there when it became obvious that president Amin (who happily killed previous president) signed the same request tow USA...
The greatest mistake was that Soviet politics in Afghanistan was completely different from traditional non-interference in Central-Asian republics, where local "Bai" remained "bai", but was declared a local Party leader. Many people said that there was no Soviet power in Central Asian republics - they were allowed to live exactly like many centuries before, but with Russian/Soviet troops guarding them from their Southern neighbours. Imperial/Soviet border there was a natural shield. Tsar's government never thought about advancing further southwards, expansion stopped in 1870s.
So, when USSR sent troops to Afghanistan, they also sent thousands of civilian Party "advisors", that didn't have any idea about Afghan way of life, and acted like they were in central Russia. That chairwarmers spoiled the traditional friendly attitude towards Russians. Army had to protect all that regional or city Party commitees, absolutely alien to local traditions.
Nevertheless, in late-80s things became almost stable. And at that time Gorbachev withdrew the troops, leaving pro-Soviet party (our allies, who fought together with us!) alone, with no asistance. Few years later mojaheds took Kabul and hanged president Najibulla, and no bloody burocrat in Moscow even tried to help him! Then mojaheds continued killing each other, with the same war coming now to former Soviet republis. Russia had to send troops again, this time to "peacekeeping" duty, to protect our "smaller brothers". Then suddenly Taliban (trained and fed from Pakistan) appeared on the scene. And this is already a different story...
Sorry for long post. Maybe you'll find it interesing. It is my own view on the problem, made up after talking to people who took part in the affairs, and reading various Russian sources.
