Charlie Wilson's War

As the sun-kissed decade of 1980s dawned, Congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) was more enamored with his lavish lifestyle than legislative duties. His congressional office had become a veritable playground for attractive young women, who seemed to be perpetually available to cater to his whims. However, this indulgent existence eventually caught up with him in the form of a federal investigation into allegations of cocaine use. Conducted by none other than future New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the inquiry was part of a broader probe into congressional improprieties. Miraculously, Charlie emerged unscathed from the ordeal.

Meanwhile, Charlie's attention had been piqued by a television report detailing the Soviet Union's brutal war in Afghanistan, which he viewed as a potential catalyst for a wider assault on the Arab nation states that controlled the world's oil supply. The program concluded that arming the Afghan Mujahideen could be the key to their ultimate victory against the Soviets.

As Charlie navigated the corridors of power, his involvement was largely confined to frivolous legislation, such as Department of Defense support for the Boy Scouts of America. However, his office was abuzz with beauty, courtesy of his stunning secretary, Bonnie Bach (Amy Adams).

Charlie's curiosity was piqued when he discovered that the CIA had allocated a paltry $5 million for covert operations against the Soviets in Afghanistan. He promptly instructed his staffer to double the budget, setting the stage for his future involvement in the conflict.

Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts), a charismatic figure with whom Charlie shared a romantic connection, was instrumental in shaping his views on the war. She urged him to take a more proactive approach in supporting the Afghan people and persuaded him to meet with Pakistani President Zia-Ul-Haq (Om Puri).

As Charlie's influence grew, he found himself seated on key congressional committees, including Defense, Pentagon, and CIA, overseeing an unlimited budget for these agencies to wage war. Joanne emphasized the need for a more effective strategy in Afghanistan, highlighting the Soviet Union's armor-plated gunships, which were resistant to the 12.7 mm rounds supplied by America to Pakistan.

Furthermore, she pointed out that while America had provided F-16s to Pakistan, no radar was included to aid in accurate targeting. Joanne's vision for Charlie was to rebrand the conflict as a war and orchestrate a crushing defeat for the Soviets, ultimately ending the Cold War and eliminating Communism.

Pakistanis were vocal about the inadequate support they received from the United States in their struggle against the Soviet Union. Zia lamented that American radar technology had been diverted to Israel, citing this as a reason why funding for the war should flow through Pakistan, given their experience with similar conflicts.

As Charlie immerses himself in the dire conditions at a major Pakistani refugee camp, he's struck by the unwavering resilience and determination of the Afghan people in the face of unimaginable hardship. This poignant encounter leaves an indelible mark on his perspective, as he becomes increasingly frustrated with the CIA's seemingly passive approach to countering the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Upon his return home, Charlie sets out to spearhead a concerted effort to significantly increase funding for the Mujahideen, driven by his growing conviction that the Afghans are more than capable of mounting an effective resistance against their oppressors.

In this quest, Charlie forms a formidable alliance with the maverick CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Philip Seymour Hoffman), whose 24-year tenure has earned him an encyclopedic knowledge of Europe, but also assigns him to Afghanistan due to his perceived lack of diplomatic finesse. As Gust navigates the complexities of this new assignment, he finds himself at odds with his superior, Henry Cravely (John Slattery), who remains skeptical about training foreign operatives as field agents, citing concerns over their loyalty to American interests.

Gust's insightful assessment of US strategy in Afghanistan is that it amounts to little more than a concerted effort to bleed the Soviets white, much like the Vietnam War had drained American resources. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach, including a means to counter the formidable Soviet Mi-24 helicopter gunships that have proven so devastating on the battlefield.

As Gust and his undermanned Afghanistan team strive to find a more effective strategy, they draw upon the expertise of the CIA's elite Special Activities Division, featuring a young paramilitary officer named Michael Vickers (Christopher Denham). Gust also enlists the services of Israeli arms merchant Zvi Rafiah (Ken Stott) to supply arms to the Mujahideen and create the illusion that these weapons are Soviet-made spoils captured by the Afghans.

Meanwhile, Charlie masterfully forges a covert partnership between Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan, leveraging their collective resources to fuel the Afghan resistance. The sheer magnitude of Soviet weaponry stored in Egypt's arsenal makes it an invaluable asset in this effort. With Joanne (character) working her Christian connections to sway Representative Doc Long (Ned Beatty), who heads the funding committee, Charlie's tireless efforts ultimately yield a commitment from the US government to support the Afghan cause.

As the wheels of diplomacy turned, Charlie's masterful negotiations secured the necessary financial backing, while Avrakotos' team meticulously orchestrated a strategic plan, leveraging resources such as FIM-92 Stinger missile launchers to supply the guerrilla fighters. This carefully crafted campaign transformed the Soviet occupation into a deadly quagmire, with their formidable fighting vehicles being decimated at an alarming rate. The CIA's anti-communist budget ballooned from a mere $5 million to over $500 million, sparking incredulous reactions among several congressmen.

As Charlie's efforts evolved into a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy known as the Reagan Doctrine, the country expanded its assistance beyond just the Mujahideen, also supporting other anti-communist resistance movements worldwide. In an ironic twist, senior Pentagon official Michael Pillsbury played a crucial role in persuading President Ronald Reagan to provide Stingers to the Afghans; however, neither Charlie nor Gust took credit for this pivotal decision.

The Soviet Union eventually succumbed to the pressure and withdrew from Afghanistan. With Gust's guidance, Charlie sought support for post-Soviet occupation Afghanistan, but encountered apathy from the U.S. government towards even modest proposals.

As the curtain closed on this chapter of international intrigue, Charlie received a well-deserved commendation for his role in the U.S. clandestine services' efforts that led to the Soviet army's defeat in Afghanistan. Just 13 years prior, the Soviet army had seemed invincible, and Charlie was hailed as a hero for making a significant dent in their formidable fighting machine.

However, his pride was tempered by concerns about the unintended consequences of his secret efforts and the implications of U.S. disengagement from Afghanistan.