Welcome to Episode 10 of The Afghanistan Project Podcast, where hosts Mikael Cook and Beth Bailey highlight the struggles of Afghans living under Taliban rule, and the efforts of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and political affiliations who have stepped up to provide support to the people of Afghanistan in the chaos that followed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Our guest this week are three members of the Legend Group Foundation and Vets4NRF. Legend is an Afghan-American who served with the U.S. Army after arriving in the U.S. just days before September 11, 2001. He is the founder of Legend Group Foundation and Vets4NRF, and has traveled back to Afghanistan several times to help evacuate endangered persons. Jazz Cannon is the spokesperson for Legend as well as the senior advisor for Legend Group Foundation and Vets4NRF. Richard Barrett is an author with a passion for understanding the history of warfare and assisting refugees.

In this episode, Legend discusses the National Resistance Front’s efforts to repel the Taliban, and the group’s growing support in the international community. Legend and Jazz talk about a tense return to Afghanistan to witness the Taliban’s one-year anniversary of their seizure of the country. Legend, Richard, and Jazz explain why they want viewers to support the NRF’s cause, and why it’s important to empower Afghans living under Taliban rule.

Our episode concludes with a letter from a former employee of the Kabul airport, whom we are calling Shakur. Shakur tells of his difficulty in adhering to the Taliban’s harsh restrictions.

About Legend Group Foundation and Vets4NRF:

Follow Jazz Cannon on Twitter @Jazz_Cannon, Instagram @jazz_cannon. Find the Legend Group Foundation at legend.ngo, and Vets4NRF at vets4nrf.org.

About the hosts:

Mikael Cook was an Army non-commissioned officer and veteran of the war in Afghanistan. He was an active member of the #DigitalDunkirk movement to evacuate our Afghan allies in August of 2021. You can follow his Instagram @Mikaelcook89.

Beth Bailey worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance writer who has covered post-withdrawal Afghanistan extensively, primarily in the Washington Examiner. Follow her on Instagram @BWBailey85 or Twitter @BWBailey85.

For listeners in Afghanistan:

If you would like to have your story considered for a future episode, please send us a letter about your experiences to our show e-mail address, [email protected]. Please include as much detail as possible, and let us know if you would like us to give you a pseudonym to protect your identity.