ABSTRACT
Although the United States played a major role in supporting the mujahideen in their revolt against the Soviet Union, Washington had never endeavored to exert significant influence on the internal political machinations of the rebel movement. It had abrogated that role to its key ally Pakistan.2 Consequently, successive governments in Islamabad had been able to promote the interests of those mujahideen groups that conformed with Pakistani foreign policy. This further undermined the potential for a united front since it alienated the non-Pashtun groups and those that were aligned with or supported the former royal family.
