Radio Resistance

In this episode of Radio Resistance, renowned scholar Professor M. Nazif Shahrani explores Afghanistan's rich cultural pluralism and the implications of decentralizing power structures. Navigating polarized discourse, the failures of past governance, and the promise of the National Resistance Front, we envision a unified front against Taliban oppression. Tune in for a nuanced understanding of Afghanistan's struggles and potential paths forward.

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In this episode of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we're joined by U.S. Army Veteran Ed Grondin who shares his insights on the controversial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan under President Biden, and the subsequent after-action reports that were referred to as political whitewashing by many.

Ed provides a unique perspective on the decision to evacuate Afghanistan in 2021 and the efforts to shift blame to the Trump administration.

You don't want to miss this candid discussion on the current state of affairs.

Ed served in the U.S. Army between 1994 and 2015. During that time, he served in the 2nd Ranger Bn, 1st Special Forces group as well as a number of other army units. He started his career as an infantryman. During this time, he served as a machine gunner, sniper, scout, mortarman and many other positions.

He transitioned from infantry to military intelligence and served as a signals intelligence (SIGINT) analyst. He served as a Special Operation Team Alpha or SOT-A and later served as an instructor.

Although not having served, Ed was actively involved in the fight in Afghanistan as a SIGINT analyst.

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In this episode of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we are joined by our special guest Mina Sharif. We discussed the discourse amongst Afghanistan's diaspora on social media, and how we can stand together as a community and heal as nation.

Mina Sharif was born in Afghanistan. When she was less than a year old, her family was forced to flee and eventually immigrated to Canada where she was raised. Mina was brought up in Toronto Canada. In early 2005, she travelled back to Afghanistan as a volunteer radio trainer working with women managed radio stations in various provinces across the country. Mina Sharif has had a variety of experiences in Afghanistan including radio training for street children in a number of cities, developing and disseminating campaigns in support of the Afghan government (particularly the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police), authoring the IOM “Guide to Afghanistan,” and leading a literacy training project for the ANA and ANP. Mina Sharif was the Executive Producer for seasons two and three of Baghch-e-Simsim, the Afghan version of Sesame Street. She was also the Executive Producer of a TV and radio series highlighting the accomplishments of Afghan children throughout the country called "Voice of Afghan Youth". She is currently part of the team at Rumi Consultancy. On the side, Mina Sharif is involved in numerous volunteer initiatives in support of Afghan youth and directs a girls mentorship program called "Sisters 4 Sisters".

Link to donate to Compassion First: https://compassionfirstconsulting.com/volunteer-aid-work

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In Episode 09 of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we are joined by our special guest, Jason Criss Howk. We discussed Pakistan’s role in the creation of the Taliban in the early 90’s, their support during their first rule, as well as their continued support during the 20 year war and how they’re again pushing for their recognition today.

Jason retired from the US Army after 23 years of working on critical US national security missions and spent most of his career focused on Afghanistan. He was posted to Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. Jason helped with the formation of the Afghan National Army and developed the Security Sector Reform program as Aide De Camp to Major General (later Ambassador) Eikenberry. He was also Aide-de-Camp to General (Ret) Stanley A. McChrystal during the US/ NATO strategic assessment of the Afghan War. Next, he assisted Lt General (Ret) Sir Graeme Lamb (British Army) and the Afghan government on the 2010 Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Plan. Finally, Jason led two teams monitoring Afghanistan and Pakistan on the US Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the White House.

As a professor, Jason was part of the 2016 Presidential Transition National Security team, and later assisted US CENTCOM and NATO Resolute Support Mission on Afghanistan. He has advised NATO, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and the US and Afghan governments. He has worked on Afghan projects for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Jason studied Farsi and Arabic at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), is a Malone Fellow in Arab and Islamic Studies, an interfaith leader, and was a Council on Foreign Relations term-member. Jason earned his master's degree in South Asian and Middle Eastern Security Studies from Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).

Link to Jason’s book mentioned in the podcast:

U.S. War Options in Afghanistan: Choose Your Own Path
https://a.co/d/hLcuY2i

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In this episode of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we analyze the recent reactions to Prince Harry's statement regarding the Taliban, discussing the social media discourse on selective activism in relation to anti-imperialism & the Ummah (Muslim World).

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In this season finale of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we are joined by our special guest Ali Madadi, a Finance and Philosophy graduate from the University of Rochester, and a previous cofounder of an education consulting organization in Afghanistan. We discussed the status quo in Afghanistan, the complete erasure of girls and women from education and society, and the destructive narratives being pushed by policy makers and think tanks such as the Crisis Group.

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In this episode of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we are joined by our special guest Sara Wahedi, founder of the Ehtesab App. We discussed Afghanistan's youth wave pre-August 2021, nepotism at the presidential office of the former Republic, ethnic discourse, and the resistance movements in Afghanistan.

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Richard Mackenzie is a veteran war correspondent, producer, author and analyst. His work ranges from trekking with the Afghan mujahideen in their jihad against the Soviet Union to the Iran-Iraq war and Desert Storm. Since Sept. 11, 2001, he has spent more than four years in Iraq and Afghanistan, covering both wars. Mackenzie was the only documentary filmmaker embedded with U.S. Special Forces in Iraq. His Inside Special Forces premiered on PBS. Two other films were featured on ABC Nightline. And another launched Discovery's Military Channel.

Also a public speaker, Mackenzie is widely recognized as an authority on Special Forces, terrorism, Afghanistan and international affairs.

Mackenzie has more than 18 years experience traveling in South and Southeast Asia. Mackenzie's critically-acclaimed film, “Afghanistan Revealed” won a 2001 Emmy Award, a New York Film Festivals medal, a CINE Golden Eagle and other recognition. The New York Times called that documentary an "amazing" and "astonishing" film that offered "a visceral, intimate look" at Afghanistan and her people.

In this episode of the Radio Resistance podcast, we interview Mr. Mackenzie and discuss the personality of the National Hero of Afghanistan, Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.

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On August 15th, 2021, Afghanistan was handed over to a terrorist group. In this episode of the Radio Resistance podcast, we discuss what the past year under Taliban rule has been like and more.

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In this episode of the Radio Resistance Podcast, we discuss  Ahmad Massoud 's recent interview with  BBC Persian in which he discusses in length the latest happenings of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan.

Full Interview (with English subtitles): https://youtu.be/yLtQVyorbcc

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