Meaning: The quote you provided is from Zbigniew Brzezinski, a Polish-American political scientist and diplomat who served as the National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. The quote refers to the official version of history and the involvement of the CIA in supporting the Mujahideen in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War.

In order to understand the significance of this quote, it is important to delve into the context of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent involvement of the United States through the CIA. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 marked a significant turning point in the Cold War era and had far-reaching geopolitical implications.

At the time of the invasion, the United States viewed the Soviet Union as its primary ideological and geopolitical adversary. The invasion of Afghanistan was seen as an extension of Soviet expansionism and a direct threat to the stability of the region. In response to this perceived threat, the United States, under the leadership of President Jimmy Carter, adopted a policy of supporting the Afghan resistance, known as the Mujahideen, through covert means.

Zbigniew Brzezinski, as the National Security Advisor, played a crucial role in shaping the U.S. response to the Soviet invasion. His quote reflects the official narrative that CIA aid to the Mujahideen began after the Soviet invasion, suggesting that the United States became directly involved in supporting the Afghan resistance in response to the Soviet incursion.

However, there has been much debate and controversy surrounding the timing and extent of the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. Some historians and analysts argue that the United States had been providing support to the Afghan resistance prior to the Soviet invasion, as part of a broader strategy to undermine Soviet influence in the region. The quote by Brzezinski is often cited in discussions about the role of the United States in fomenting the conflict in Afghanistan as part of its broader Cold War strategy.

The consequences of the Soviet-Afghan War and the U.S. involvement in supporting the Mujahideen had long-term effects on the region and beyond. The conflict contributed to the destabilization of Afghanistan and the rise of militant groups that would later evolve into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The repercussions of this period continue to reverberate in the geopolitics of the region and the global struggle against terrorism.

In conclusion, Zbigniew Brzezinski's quote encapsulates the official narrative of the U.S. involvement in supporting the Mujahideen in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War. However, it also raises important questions about the broader context and implications of this involvement, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of Cold War geopolitics and its enduring legacy in the modern world.