The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

worth it. To have an agent in Amin’s position means not only to receive access toimportant information, but also the possibility of pulling the strings of politicalprocesses in Afghanistan and beyond. One shouldn’t discount the effect on thepublic of witnessing how American officials are treated in pro-communistAfghanistan. However, it all seems too noisy, too bloody to be “a covert operation.”At the same time, it’s impossible to completely discard this version of events. Amin’sreaction to such a move can be explained. It seems as though the Anarchist is rightin many respects. Artem said many of the same things.”Having written this outline, Khotyaev put his journal aside. He was in a bad mood.There were too many questions. If one could agree with the version of a covert Americanoperation that failed due to an unexpectedly strong reaction from Amin, it would bepossible to answer each of the questions. All of the pieces begin to coalesce around a singlestrand of logic, with the exception of the last episode. How was the plan supposed to turnout according to the American scenario? They would hardly have consciously “sacrificed”the ambassador. It was also clear that Amin would not come to the Kabul Hotel under anycircumstances. So, what could he do then? Transfer someone disguised as Bahes to theterrorists, thereby signaling his acquiescence? It is possible that there were other finalesprepared in advance for Amin’s choosing.Vladimir shuddered from disgust. No matter who was pulling the strings, thecircumstances of the operation seemed so perverse, so cruel, almost satanic. “If I writeabout all of this in my report, what would Osadchiy’s response be? How would it be343