Why did the US support the mujaheadeen in Afghanistan during the 1980s?

The U.S. supported the mujahedeen in Afghanistan during the 1980s primarily to counter Soviet influence in the region following the Soviet invasion in 1979. By providing military aid, training, and funding through programs like Operation Cyclone, the U.S. aimed to undermine the Soviet Union's strategic position and promote the idea of self-determination. This support was part of a broader Cold War strategy to contain communism and prevent the spread of Soviet power. Ultimately, the U.S. sought to bolster the mujahedeen as a proxy force against the Soviets.