David Loyn is a renowned British journalist and author who specialises in Afghanistan, with decades of experience in the country and the region as a BBC correspondent. He worked as an advisor to Ashraf Ghani's government for a year after leaving the BBC. In this interview, he shares his insights, analysis, and thoughts on the situation in the country and what should happen next.

David Loyn's books "The Long War: The Inside Story of America and Afghanistan Since 9/11" and "Butcher and Bolt: Two Hundred Years of Foreign Failure in Afghanistan" were published in 2021 and 2008 respectively. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Major General Charlie Herbert served multiple tours in Afghanistan and led British forces in Helmand province. He also served in other capacities, working with Afghan government ministries and leaders. In this interview, he shares his insights, thoughts, and stories about what happened during the 20-year Western involvement in the country and what he thinks about the future.

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Stephan Jensen is a former Norwegian army officer who served in Afghanistan's northern provinces of Faryab and Balkh (Mazar-i-Sharif). Currently, he is working on a book detailing the history of the War in Afghanistan. In this interview, Jensen discusses his experiences during his time in the country, provides an analysis of what went wrong, and explores Norway's unique position in global diplomacy, and its role as conflict mediator, especially on Afghanistan. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Dr Habiba Sarabi is the former Minister of Women's Affairs in Afghanistan and was the first woman to hold a governorship in the country, serving as the governor of Bamiyan Province. She was also a part of the delegation negotiating with the Taliban before the group's return to power in August 2021. 

In this interview she talks about her childhood, her life in politics, negotiating with the Taliban, life in exile and her hopes for Afghanistan. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Jason Criss Howk has spent 21 years focused on Afghanistan in defence, diplomacy, academic, humanitarian, and intelligence roles. He is the director of Global Friends of Afghanistan, a frequently published writer, and guest lectures at American University and the USMC War College.

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Mohsin Dawar is a Pakistani politician who leads the political party called the National Democratic Movement. He previously served as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from August 2018 to August 2023.

Dawar has been a staunch critic of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, accusing them of being proxies of the Pakistani military. In this interview, he talks about Pakistan, Pashtuns, the Taliban (both Afghan and Pakistani), refugees, the Durand Line, risking his life, and more.

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Fawzia Koofi has been a prominent figure in Afghanistan's politics and a women's rights activist. She served a member and the first female Deputy Speaker of parliament before the Taliban's recapture of the country. In this interview she talks about her childhood, life in politics, negotiating with the Taliban and leaving Afghanistan. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Hussain Shah Rezai fled Afghanistan when he was a teenager almost ten years ago. He is one of over ten thousand refugees from Afghanistan stuck in appalling and inhumane conditions in Indonesia. In this episode, Hussain tells his and their story.

Hussain on X: @HussainS_Rezaie

Warning: This episode contains a discussion on mental health issues. If you are affected, please seek help from a professional. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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 Sir Laurie Bristow was the British ambassador to Afghanistan during the Taliban's takeover in August 2021. In this interview, he talks about living and working through those chaotic days, the factors leading to them, and what he thinks about the situation in the country now. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

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Mozhdah Jamalzadah is a singer, actor and campaigner. In this interview, she talks about leaving Afghanistan as a young child, the challenges of settling in Canada, pursuing music, acting, working in Afghanistan, and her interest in politics. 

Host & Producer: Roh Yakobi

Assistant Producer/Researcher: Sa-aadat Yakobi

Music ©: Dawood Sarkhosh

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

X: @TheAfgPod & @RohYakobi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.