Welcome to Episode 40 of The Afghanistan Project Podcast, where hosts Beth Bailey and Mikael Cook 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 ‘Legend,’ an Afghan American U.S. Army combat veteran and the head of American veteran organization Vets4NRF, which supports the National Resistance Front’s efforts to return democracy to Afghanistan. Filling in as a temporary co-host is Jazz Cannon, an Afghan American women’s rights activist who is an avid supporter of resistance in Afghanistan.

Our conversation revolves around the rich history of Afghanistan, and the country that many Afghans long to return to as the Taliban once again deprives citizens of their human rights and offers no pathway to representative government.

We discuss the tacit and overt support the U.S. is providing to the Taliban, and the lack of support for efforts to resist the Taliban, as well as the inevitable outcomes for Americans should there be no efforts to counter the Taliban and Haqqani Network.

About Legend Group Foundation and Vets4NRF:

Follow Jazz Cannon on Twitter @Jazz_Cannon,

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

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 Afghan listeners:

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].