enlists the support of Israel and Egypt for Soviet weapons and consumables, and Pakistan for distribution of arms. The CIA's anti-communism budget evolves from $5 million to over $500 million (with the same amount matched by Saudi Arabia), startling several congressmen. This effort by Charlie ultimately evolves into a major portion of the U.S. foreign policy known as the Reagan Doctrine, under which the U.S. expanded assistance beyond just the mujahideen and began also supporting other anti-communist resistance movements around the world. Charlie states that senior Pentagon official Michael Pillsbury persuaded President Ronald Reagan to provide the Stingers to the Afghans. Gust vehemently advises Charlie to seek support for post-Soviet occupation Afghanistan, referencing the "zen master's" story of the lost horse. He also emphasizes that rehabilitating schools in the country will help educate young children before they are influenced by the "crazies". Charlie attempts to appeal this with the government but finds no enthusiasm for even the modest measures he proposes. In the end, Charlie receives a major commendation for his support of the U.S. clandestine services, but his pride is tempered by his fears of the blowback his secret efforts could yield in the future and the implications of U.S. disengagement from Afghanistan. Cast Tom Hanks as Representative Charlie Wilson Julia Roberts as Joanne Herring Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust Avrakotos Amy Adams as Bonnie Bach Ned Beatty as Representative Doc Long Christopher Denham as Michael G. Vickers Emily Blunt as Jane Liddle Om Puri as President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq Faran Tahir as Brigadier Rashid Ken Stott as Israeli arms merchant Zvi Rafiah John Slattery as CIA director of European operations Henry Cravely Michael Spellman as CIA Agent Patrick Denis O'Hare as CIA station chief Harold Holt Jud Tylor as the aspiring starlet Crystal Lee Peter Gerety as Larry Liddle Brian Markinson as Crystal Lee's agent, Paul Brown Spencer Garrett as congressional committee staffer Kevin Cooney as congressional committee staffer Aharon Ipalé as the Egyptian Defense Minister Pasha Lychnikoff as Russian helicopter pilot Cyia Batten as Stacey Tracy Phillips as Carol Shannon, bellydancer Navid Negahban as refugee camp translator Shiri Appleby as Jailbait Rachel Nichols as Suzanne Wynn Everett as receptionist Shaun Toub as Hassan (uncredited) Release and reception Box office The film was originally set for release on December 25, 2007; but on November 30, the timetable was moved back to December 21. In its opening weekend, the