The Kabul Revolution, 1978

• Detente could not stop superpower competition over the developing world. The Soviet leader Brezhnev saw the communist revolution in Afghan as an opportunity to extend his power in the oil rich middle east.
• The new government in Kabul, was determined to 'build socialism in Afghanistan. The new communist President became an ally of the USSR.
• The new government was far from stable though. It suffered personal rivalries and arguments. Muslim people across the country were angered by socialist reforms. 
• This caused a civil war to break out in the country.
• Hafizullah Amin, head of the Army beacame bitter rivals with Taraki. So Amin's men assassinated Taraki and Amin became President.