Welcome to Episode 38 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 today is Gareth Westwood, a former security analyst whose work in Kabul between 2019 and 2020 gave him an incredible vantage point to witness moments and choices that would ultimately shape the environment in which the disastrous August 2021 withdrawal took place.

Gareth discusses the escalating numbers of high-profile attacks underway as the Doha Agreement was being negotiated, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on day-to-day operations, and the Taliban’s creep into district centers and early stages of the reprisal campaign against government figures. He also addressed the uncertainty among NATO countries and the Afghan government about the U.S.’s intentions to truly withdraw even after the Doha Agreement was negotiated.

Near the end of our episode, Gareth explained how the withdrawal from Afghanistan affected him as he went through a multi-phase process of grappling with his personal feelings about the disastrous outcome of a nearly twenty-year campaign.

Our letter this week comes from special immigrant visa applicant “Saee,” who asked that we refer to him by last name only. Saee had nearly achieved his SIV when his application – and all applications with a letter of recommendation from his former supervisor, were stopped for unspecified reasons. Fortunately, Saee has found new recommenders, but he hopes for expedited processing of his visa to escape the limbo that he and his family find themselves in.

About the hosts:

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 contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner. Follow her on Instagram @BWBailey85 or Twitter @BWBailey85.

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.

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.