In the second part of this two-segment conversation, Sayed asks Dr. Sarmast about his upbringing, the inspiration to build a music school for the most disadvantaged kids, and why the country's art scene was so prolific when he grew up during the second half of the 20th century.

Guest: Ahmad Naser Sarmast
Guest Host: Sayed Madadi

Music copyright: Afghanistan National Institute of Music

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• Afghanistan National Institute of Music
• Qasim Bakhsh - Kharabat
• "Arsala Khan" Afghanistan and Northern Ireland

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Sayed speaks with Malaiz Daud about non-violent movements in the Pashtun belt across Afghanistan-Pakistan borders. They discuss the historical resilience of movements such as PTM, their impact so far, and what it would take for Pashtuns in Afghanistan to mobilize is similar scale.

Malaiz Daud, a PhD researcher in Germany, has been following social non-violent movements in South Asia for years. He is currently working on a research and documentary project for the Asia Foundation about social movements among Pashtuns in the Afghanistan-Pakistan tribal areas.

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Guest Host: Sayed Madadi
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Sayed talks with climate and water expert Najibullah Sadid about climate change in Afghanistan, its socio-economic impacts, and potential policy interventions to address it.

Najibullah Sadid, PhD, is an Associate Researcher at the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute in Germany. His work focuses on transboundary rivers and sustainable resource management.

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Guest Host: Sayed Madadi
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Sayed talks with the author and historian, Dr. Waleed Ziad, about how complex Sufi networks in the Durrani empire connected south and Central Asia during the times of turmoil. The episode brings to the fore what these networks reveal about the region's past, particularly women authority, their role in society, and the politics of home-grown knowledge production.

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Guest Host: Sayed Madadi
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In this episode, we'll dive into Central Asia, a region teeming with enormous potential and global importance. Join us as we explore the ever-shifting geopolitical landscape, dissect the ramifications of the Ukraine conflict, and delve into the critical realm of energy and climate dynamics. Tune in for a deep and comprehensive discussion!

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Guest Host: Sayed Madadi
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From his first arrival in Afghanistan days before the Soviets' withdrawal to his encounter with Osama bin Laden to his walk into Kabul with the Northern Alliance forces in November 2001, John Simpson shares his love for the country, its people, and his candid views on its current situation and future prospects.

John  Simpson reporting clip: ©️ BBC. 

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Host: Roh Yakobi
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Shaharzad Akbar is an activist, the Executive Director of Rawadari, and the former Chair of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. She reflects on her personal story, shares her thoughts on the current situation in Afghanistan, and discusses her hopes for the future of the country and its people.

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Host: Roh Yakobi
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Damon Wilson is the President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). In this interview, he talks about what inspired him to do what he does, reflections on what happened in Afghanistan, and the way ahead for its future.

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Host: Roh Yakobi
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Robert Grenier is the former the CIA's Director of Counter-Terrorism Centre and Station Chief in Islamabad. After 911 attacks, the then Director of the CIA, George Tennet, tasked Grenier to formulate America's strategy on fighting the Taliban.
Grenier is the author of 88 Days to Kandahar. 

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Host: Roh Yakobi
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