ABSTRACT
In many senses the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan represented a decisive point in the history of the alliance, since it marked the beginning of a new assertiveness in American foreign policy and, in consequence, the beginning of a serious rift in the alliance. The invasion of Afghanistan was interpreted by many Americans as confirmation of a long-held suspicion that the steady growth in Soviet military strength would eventually encourage greater adventurism and expansionism on the part of the Soviet leadership. European reactions to the invasion of Afghanistan had been more restrained than those of the United States. The dominant perception was that America's allies had been inexcusably reluctant to support the United States, first during a time of great American need, the seizure of the hostages, and subsequently in response to a situation in which their own interests were at stake, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan..
