The Afghanistan Project Podcast

Epizode

• Shawn VanDiver on Camp As Sayliyah Future, Legal Updates - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 143 01.06.2026 49min

  Welcome to Episode 143 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I've got a familiar returning guest, #AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver. We talk about not only the Afghans at Camp As Sayliyah whom the administration was recently considering sending to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also about the recent legal developments that could impact Afghans.Find #AfghanEvac here: https://afghanevac.org/About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz & The Freedom 13 Healing Camp - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 142 25.05.2026 1h 9min

  Welcome to Episode 142 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz shares the story of his son, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, who perished on August 26, 2021 alongside 12 U.S. service members and 160 Afghans.Mark shares the story of The Freedom 13 Recreational Healing Camps, the 501(c)3 he and his wife have created to commemorate Jared and all 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.Find The Freedom 13 here: https://thefreedom13.org/About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Ellen Smith of Keeping Our Promise brings a good news story - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 141 18.05.2026 1h 7min

  Welcome to Episode 141 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, Ellen Smith, the founder and Executive Director of Keeping Our Promise, brings a great news story about being able to reunite an Afghan ally and his wife with the baby they were forced to leave behind when making their way to the U.S. Ellen also talks about several other updates for Afghan friends in the KOP ecosystem, and lets viewers know what is needed to support families here in the U.S.Find KOP here:https://www.keepingourpromise.org/About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Preserving the stories of advocacy heroes - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 140 11.05.2026 35min

  Welcome to Episode 140 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I'm talking about a project that I began over a year ago to preserve the stories of the volunteers, advocates, and other supporters who have been part of the effort to keep Afghans safe and supported in the leadup to and aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal. I also explain how I came to this work, what the effort of supporting Afghans has been like, and what the community around me has meant as my own life went through upheaval in the midst of the chaos.I can never thank the people who have been part of this journey enough for their presence and the fortitude they've demonstrated. It has been the honor of a lifetime to witness the efforts people have made - and often continue to make - to fulfill our government's promises to our allies.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Terror in Afghanistan with Colin Smith, Graham Aikin - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 139 04.05.2026 1h 30min

  Welcome to Episode 139 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I'm thrilled to bring on two incredible experts on the expansion of terrorism in the Taliban's Afghanistan, Colin Smith, and Graham Aikin. We discuss how terror groups have found safe haven in the Taliban's Afghanistan, including al Qaeda and Daesh, as well as groups like ETIM/TIP and TTP. About Colin and Graham:Colin Smith is the UK Threat Assessment Expert and Coordinator, overseeing the work of the United Nations’ Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which supports implementations of sanctions against the Taliban. The monitoring team also provides biannual assessments of the global threat that Al Qaeda and ISIL and its affiliates pose. Colin was a British diplomat in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for twenty years, focusing on national security and counter-terrorism.Find the latest UN Monitoring Team assessment here:https://docs.un.org/en/S/2026/44Graham Aikin is a part-time PhD student within King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence, where he is researching the resurgence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan since the withdrawal in 2021, with a particular focus on the challenges of intelligence collection. He holds a joint law degree from the University of Central Lancashire and Central Connecticut State University, from where he graduated in 2003. He spent several years as a senior private banker with Coutts & Co, where he developed an extensive knowledge of tax havens, terrorism financing and sanctions, before establishing his own training consultancy in 2012. He has studied extensively the events of 9/11, its antecedents and the subsequent ‘Global War on Terror’. Graham undertook a Master’s degree in Covert Action, HUMINT and the Psychology of Intelligence Elicitation and his Master’s dissertation focused on the Investigatory Power’s Commissioner’s role in overseeing the UK intelligence agencies treatment of detainees and the sharing of intelligence with their liaison partners. Find Graham’s latest article here: https://kcsi.uk/kcsi-insights/not-your-fathers-afghanistan-is-the-west-taking-its-eye-off-the-al-qaeda-ballAbout the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Spencer Sullivan and Abdulhaq Sodais' 'Not Our Problem' - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 138 27.04.2026 1h 1min

  Welcome to Episode 138 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce Spencer Sullivan and Abdulhaq Sodais, coauthors of 'Not Our Problem: The True Story of an Afghan Refugee, an American Promise, and the World Between Them.'We talk about the deployment in Zabul when Spencer and Abdulhaq met, and the 13-year battle for Spencer to arrive in the U.S. that only concluded this December. Find more about 'Not Our Problem' here: https://www.notourproblembook.com/About Spencer and Abdulhaq:Spencer Sullivan is a U.S. Army combat veteran and has been advocating for Afghan refugees for over a decade. His writing and interviews in support of America’s Afghan wartime allies have featured in various outlets including the LA Times, CNN, the Associated Press, Fox Business, The Guardian, HuffPost, and Military.com. Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Arts in organizational leadership from Brandman University. He works in leadership and organization development and lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and son.Follow Spencer on Instagram: instagram.com/spencersullivanauthorAbdulhaq Sodais is a former interpreter for US forces in Afghanistan where he served for over two years translating for both combat and support units. He is also a strong advocate for refugees, and his ambition is that his and Spencer's book will bring awareness to the refugee experience to a western audience. He is a recent arrival in the United States, having just completed a 13 year effort to get asylum in America in exchange for his service during the war. He is starting a new life in Chicago with his wife with the help of a refugee resettlement organization known as RefugeeOne.Follow Abdulhaq on Instagram: instagram.com/abdulhaqsodaisauthorAbout the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Write an Afghanistan op-ed ft. Daniel Salazar, Sonia Norton - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 137 23.04.2026 1h 16min

  Welcome to Episode 137 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I'm thrilled to bring back Daniel Salazar and Sonia Norton for a discussion on updates for Afghans in various U.S. programs and pathways, and the long-awaited discussion on how to write, pitch, and promote an op-ed on Afghanistan that can help move the conversation forward in a positive manner in the current climateAbout Sonia and Daniel:Sonia Norton is the Director of Advocacy at No One Left Behind. Before joining No One Left Behind, she worked in the House of Representatives for five years with members of the House Committees on Armed Services, Judiciary, and Ways and Means. Most recently, she served as the Senior Legislative Assistant for Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), where she led a policy portfolio including Afghan allies, foreign affairs, and judiciary issues. In that role, Sonia was the lead House Democratic staffer for the introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act and was named one of the Top 10 Policy Staff to Watch. Sonia has also served as a Fulbright-Nehru English Teaching Assistant and was elected for three terms on the Women’s Congressional Staff Association Board.Daniel Salazar is a refugee and protection policy advisor at Global Refuge, the national refugee resettlement agency formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. He does policy and advocacy work on the U.S. refugee admissions program, Afghan and Ukrainian resettlement, and other topics. He has worked on Afghan-related legislation such as the Afghan Adjustment Act, the Afghan SIV program, and CARE authorization since July 2022, first at U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and now at Global Refuge. He is also a coalition member of Evacuate Our Allies and has helped campaigns on Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan and re-parole for Afghans. Before this work, he was a journalist in Kansas and Texas before moving to Washington, DC for his master’s in foreign service at Georgetown University.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Kieran Ramsey on wrongful detentions in Afghanistan, Iran - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 136 13.04.2026 1h 2min

  Welcome to Episode 136 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I'm thrilled to host Kieran Ramsey, Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach. Kieran talks about the support Global Reach provides to the families of those wrongfully detained by overseas regimes, and discusses the Taliban's long practice of using hostages to achieve their own goals inside Afghanistan.We also discuss the current situation for hostages wrongfully held in Iran, whose situations are unknown in the current conflict.About Kieran Ramsey:During a 32-year career in federal law enforcement and the U.S. Intelligence Community, Kieran Ramsey spearheaded massive investigations including the Boston Marathon Bombing, the killing of a U.S. diplomat overseas, the assassination of an internationally renowned journalist, and multiple kidnapping/hostage cases, Kieran is also able to harness the power of partnership, across agencies and across governments, in direct support of victims and their families.Kieran most recently served at the FBI’s highest echelon of executive leadership as an Assistant Director and the FBI’s Senior Representative to a U.S. Intelligence Community agency. This assignment required his resourcefulness and expertise to ensure U.S. Intelligence Community capabilities and authorities were fully integrated not only in hostage situations, but across the entire range of national security threats: counterterrorism, counterespionage, cyber, and transnational organized crime.Kieran is well-known as a leader in the hostage space, having served as the third Director of the U.S. Government’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, wherein he led the interagency effort through a period of great change that saw the successful return of numerous hostages and wrongful detainees. He further established deep relationships with former hostages, hostage families, and other hostage advocacy groups which continue to this day.Kieran’s other positions across his lengthy career include multiple domestic office postings, as well as cross-cultural assignments as a diplomat, and the senior FBI official in U.S. embassies in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. His reputation as a “fixer,” placed him in some of the most challenging assignments, ranging from the Regime Crimes Task Force in Iraq in 2004, to navigating FBI’s support to local law enforcement during the period of civil unrest in Portland, Oregon in 2020. He also led one of the FBI’s Evidence Response Teams in New York in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.Kieran has been honored with numerous accolades and awards across his career for a variety of investigations including the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Award, the International Chiefs of Police Award, and the International Narcotics Officer Association Award. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from Georgetown University, and is a former adjunct faculty member for the FBI.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• ODA 595 and VF-213 in 2001 Afghanistan - Part 3 - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 135 06.04.2026 1h 45min

  Welcome to Episode 135 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. This is the third segment in a special sub-series of the podcast in conjunction with The Fighter Pilots' Guide to Living.Today’s guests are three Green Berets from ODA 595, Mark Nutsch, Paul Evans, and Mike Elmore, and three members of VF-213, Nate Bailey, Michael Peterson, and Chip King.Today, we talk about the aftermath of the first strafing run that Biff and Tung conducted in support of ODA 595 and the use of that tactic throughout the remainder of VF-213's deployment.We also talk about the remaining months of operations that ODA 595 and VF-213 conducting in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the takeaways that each of our guests had from their participation in the early days of the Global War on Terror.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• ODA 595 and VF-213 in 2001 Afghanistan - Part 2 - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 134 30.03.2026 1h 21min

  Welcome to Episode 134 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. This is the second segment in a special sub-series of the podcast in conjunction with The Fighter Pilots' Guide to Living.Today’s guests are three Green Berets from ODA 595, Mark Nutsch, Paul Evans, and Mike Elmore, and three members of VF-213, Nate Bailey, Michael Peterson, and Chip King.Today, we dive into the evolving conditions inside and overhead in Afghanistan as Green Berets arrived in the country, and we talk about the difficulties of calling in close air support in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom.Towards the end of the episode, we address the single incident on November 5, 2001 that shifted the way that F-14 Tomcats would support ground forces working to push back the Taliban . About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• ODA 595 and VF-213 in 2001 Afghanistan - Part 1 - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 133 23.03.2026 1h 11min

  Welcome to Episode 133 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. This is a special sub-series of the podcast in conjunction with The Fighter Pilots' Guide to Living.Today’s guests are three Green Berets from ODA 595, Mark Nutsch, Paul Evans, and Mike Elmore, and three members of VF-213, Nate Bailey, Michael Peterson, and Chip King.Today, we dive into the missions that ODA 595 and VF-213 had prior to the attacks of 9/11, and how those missions changed after the terror attacks that shocked the world.Our conversation will lead us to a discussion of a single incident in November 2001 that shifted the way that F-14 Tomcats supported ground forces working to push back the Taliban in the earliest days of Operation Enduring Freedom. About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Natalie Gonnella-Platts of the George W. Bush Institute - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 132 16.03.2026 1h 14min

  Welcome to Episode 132 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I'm thrilled to host Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Director of Global Policy for the George W. Bush Institute.An incredible expert on the dire situation inside Afghanistan, Natalie talks about many of the ongoing struggles facing Afghans in their homeland and many of the policy choices that could be pursued to hold the Taliban to account.Find the Captured State project here: https://www.bushcenter.org/series/captured-stateFind the Taliban Travel Tracker here: https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/taliban-travel-trackerAbout Natalie Gonnella-Platts:Natalie Gonnella-Platts has over 15 years of experience advancing research, policy, and programs in support of women and children worldwide. Her current work includes a focus on the rights and well-being of women and children in Afghanistan; the intersection of economic development, migration, and gender-based violence in regions like Central America; the agency and advancement of young women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa; and the link between democratic backsliding, autocratic regimes, and gender inequity. She is the host of the Bush Institute’s award nominated podcast, Ladies, First; the co-author of a first-of-its kind analysis on global first ladies, A Role Without a Rulebook; and served as a project lead on the development of the Bush Center’s 2018 and 2019 special exhibits. Her work has also been featured across a wide range of external outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Vanity Fair, The Dallas Morning News, Real Clear World, and Politico. Gonnella-Platts studied Communications and International Studies (Peace and Conflict) at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia. She earned an MA in War, Violence and Security studies from the University of Sussex in Brighton, United Kingdom. Prior to her current role, she has held various positions in London and New York at organizations including BBC Worldwide, the Legatum Institute, and AIG, among others. About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Shawn VanDiver on Afghans at CAS during Iran conflict, etc - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 131 09.03.2026 36min

  Welcome to Episode 131 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, I've got a familiar returning guest, #AfghanEvac president Shawn VanDiver. We talk about not only the Afghans at Camp As Sayliyah who are in proximity of the ongoing military conflict with Iran and have had debris from missiles and/or missile interceptors fall into their rooms on the base.Shawn also talks about a number of other factors impacting Afghans in locations around the globe and at home in the U.S.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Shannon Galpin on commemorating Afghan women athletes - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 130 02.03.2026 1h 1min

  Welcome to Episode 130 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, my guest is social justice activist Shannon Galpin, who has a long history of supporting women inside Afghanistan.We talk about Shannon's work in Afghan women's prisons, supporting the deaf community in Afghanistan, and helping to support Afghan women cyclists across the country.We also talk about Shannon's support for refugees fleeing the country following the withdrawal, and her work on an archive to share the stories of Afghan women in sports.About Shannon Galpin:Shannon Galpin is a social justice activist, author, artist, and filmmaker. Shannon has spent two decades working with Afghans and during the eight years she worked in Afghanistan she worked in the women’s prisons, with the deaf community, created women’s education programs, supported the first graffiti art workshops and music festivals, and spent years supporting the first women’s cycling teams. Shannon is a Fellow with the Royal Geographical Society and a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. In 2009, Shannon became the first person to mountain bike in Afghanistan. She continued to travel through Afghanistan by bike for several years, using the bike as a tool to explore and interrogate gender barriers. She supported and trained the first Afghan Women’s National Cycling team and helped build and support the ‘right to ride’ movement across Afghanistan. When the Taliban returned, Shannon evacuated athletes and human rights defenders, set up safehouses, and resettled hundreds of Afghans into dozens of countries. Shannon is the author of two books on Afghanistan, including her memoir, Mountain to Mountain, and Streets of Afghanistan. Currently Shannon is building the first Afghan Women’s Sport Archive to ensure their legacy is preserve for present and future generations. About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Afghanistan and Pakistan in "Open War" - The Afghanistan Project Podcast 28.02.2026 18min

  Welcome to a special episode of The Afghanistan Project focused on the heightened conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, its origins, and how regional dynamics play a role.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Danilo Zak from Church World Service on Afghan refugees - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 129 23.02.2026 1h 3min

  Welcome to Episode 129 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, my guest is Danilo Zak, the Director of Policy at Church World Service.We discuss the value refugees add to society, the successes of the Pacito v Trump lawsuit in forcing the restarting of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and the suite of changes for Afghans that have taken place in recent months.We also discuss new legislation that may have a positive impact for those impacted by processing pauses.About Danilo Zak:Danilo Zak is the Director of Policy at Church World Service. In this role, he leads the CWS Policy Team on strategic engagement with policymakers to advance pro-refugee, pro-immigrant policies and neutralize harmful proposals. Danilo is responsible for managing and executing a strategic plan to advance a refugee resettlement, asylum, and immigration framework that strengthens U.S. leadership and has a positive impact on people’s lives.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Afghan operator 'Noori' on life as an ANASOC JTAC - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 128 16.02.2026 1h 52min

  Welcome to Episode 128 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, my guest is 'Noori,' a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) in the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command.Noori talks about how he was selected for ANASOC, training to become a JTAC, and the ground missions that left him wounded on three different occasions.After becoming a trainer for other ANASOC units, Noori was evacuated from Kabul and talks about adjusting to life in the U.S.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Former SIGAR team lead Jordan Kane on aid diversion report - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 127 09.02.2026 1h 17min

  Welcome to Episode 127 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, my guest is Jordan Kane, who was the team lead for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report on aid diversion by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Jordan and I discuss the changes that SIGAR underwent following the Taliban's takeover and the difficulties Jordan had with censorship as she worked to highlight the Taliban's aid diversion practices through SIGAR.About Jordan:Jordan holds a Bachelors degree from Pomona University and a Masters from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Jordan has worked for the Department of State, Booz Allen Hamilton, USAID, DT Global, and SIGAR.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Mark Flanigan reunites with Afghan students in withdrawal - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 126 02.02.2026 56min

  Welcome to Episode 126 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, my guest is Mark Flanigan. Mark spent the 2016-17 academic year teaching at a women's liberal arts college in Bangladesh. Four years later, when he was helping Afghans who had been moved to Ft. McCoy following the Taliban's August 2021 takeover, kismet brought him back in contact with several of his Afghan students, who have taken off to a number of prestigious universities since being welcomed into the U.S.Mark talks about the impact that his experience has had on his life.About Mark:Mark Flanigan is a U.S. Army veteran, Rotarian, and educator in Northern Virginia. He previously served as a National Operations Officer with IOM, aiding in the resettlement of Afghan evacuees across the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. He completed additional short-term refugee resettlement assignments in Qatar, Bangladesh, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Mark’s diverse experience includes roles as an AmeriCorps VISTA, a HillVets fellow, a Rotary Peace Fellow in Japan and Thailand, a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF), and a JET Program teacher in Nagasaki. He holds an M.A. in Peace Studies from International Christian University in Tokyo, an M.S. in Public Policy from George Mason University, and a B.A. in Political Science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/
• Hasht-e Subh editor Hussain Haidari on refugee journey - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 125 26.01.2026 42min

  Welcome to Episode 125 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, my guest is Hasht-e Subh editor Hussain Haidari, who discusses his journey fleeing Afghanistan and becoming a refugee inside the U.S. We talk about Hussain's advocacy for the refugee community, the safety and stability his family has found in the U.S., and his hopes for his homeland.About Hussain:In Afghanistan, Hussain Ali Haidari was an executive officer for former Afghan president Ashraf Gani and a reporter for 8am media. He now continues to write for the site, is an intake and outreach specialist at Minneapolis nonprofit Emerge, and is the reporter and editor for New Home, a weekly refugee newsletter. Hussain is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Minnesota.About the host: 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 Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on Twitter: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/