What are the origins & history of Al-Qaeda? Why was it formed? I've heard controversies from this BBC news article & Wikipedia page about whether the CIA played a part in the creation of Al-Qaeda, specifically that the CIA recruited and "trained" Osama Bin Laden, Is there any truth in this?

What has the Soviet-Afghan War got to do with Al-Qaeda? If anything? Why were the Soviets in Afghanistan? Has all of this caused any animosity between followers of Al-Qaeda & Russia, America, Russian/American intelligence?

Has Soviet/Post-Soviet or American ideology influenced Al-Qaeda & vice versa? Thanks everyone :)

Hopefully the mentioning of the BBC article (published in 2004) doesn't break the 20-year rule, if it does feel free to remove my post.