Babrak Karmal vs Garret FitzGerald

Babrak Karmal was installed as President of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in December 1979, following the Soviet invasion. He led the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the early years of the Soviet-Afghan War, implementing unpopular reforms and relying on Soviet military support.

Karmal was replaced as General Secretary of the People's Democratic Party by Mohammad Najibullah in May 1986, under Soviet pressure. He was effectively sidelined, though he remained in Afghanistan until his death. This marked the end of his direct political influence.

Babrak Karmal died in Moscow in 1996, reportedly from liver cancer. He had been living in exile in the Soviet Union since his removal from power. His death went largely unnoticed in Afghanistan, where the civil war was raging.

FitzGerald became Taoiseach in June 1981, leading a Fine Gael-Labour coalition. He was an economist and intellectual, advocating for liberal social reforms and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. His first term lasted only nine months due to a budget defeat.

FitzGerald launched a 'constitutional crusade' to liberalize Irish society, including proposals to remove the constitutional ban on divorce and to reform laws on contraception. The campaign faced strong opposition from the Catholic Church and conservative elements, and many reforms were delayed.

FitzGerald, as Taoiseach, negotiated and signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on November 15, 1985. The agreement established the Intergovernmental Conference, giving Dublin a formal role in Northern Ireland affairs. It was a landmark in Anglo-Irish relations.

FitzGerald's coalition government was defeated in the 1987 Irish general election by Fianna F