the benefit of reviewing various documents from Soviet and Eastern Bloc archives that bring to light some of the conversations and thought processes the Soviets exercised. As a diamond has many facets this paper will discuss a limited portion of the diamond based upon the information and research from Artemy Kalinovsky, David Gibbs, and Geraint Hughes. Rationale to Invade Afghanistan It appears that the Soviets invaded Afghanistan not in execution of a previously established grand strategy