The Afghanistan Project Podcast

Епизоде

• 
  Retired Lt. Gen. John Bradley on Lamia Afghan Foundation - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 154 14.09.2026 1ч 6мин

  Welcome to Episode 154 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Lt. Gen. John Bradley talks about how the Lamia Afghan Foundation started with his wife Jan's incredible efforts to send needed items to Afghans overseas. We talk about how the organization grew and what it continues to do in present-day Afghanistan.About Lt. Gen. Bradley:General Bradley retired from the United States Air Force in August 2008, with 41 years of service. He was the Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters, United States Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia, and the Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, the largest Major Command in the U.S. AirForce, responsible for over 76,000 Airmen, around the world. Prior to this he was the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for Reserve Matters, the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. He is a Vietnam veteran, with 337 combat missions as a fighter pilot. He has over 7,000 flying hours in the A-37, A-10, F-4, and F-16 fighter aircraft. He is a member of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council.Find Lamia Afghan Foundation here: https://lamia.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/
• 
  Colin Smith on Latest U.N. Sanctions Monitoring Report - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 153 07.09.2026 58мин

  Welcome to Episode 153 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal. Colin Smith returns to The Afghanistan Project Podcast to discuss the latest report from the U.N. Sanctions Monitoring Team on terror growth inside Afghanistan and around the world. About Colin: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/2026/651About 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/
• 
  Badger Six fight for post-9/11 Afghan counterparts: The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 152 31.08.2026 51мин

  Welcome to Episode 152 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’s guest is retired U.S. Army Colonel Justin Sapp, a member of Team Alpha, the CIA’s original eight-man team of analysts, linguists, warriors, and tribal experts who went into Afghanistan to defeat al Qaeda in the days immediately following Sept. 11, 2001.In this episode, Justin talks about Team Alpha and other early American units' reliance on their Afghan counterparts in the earliest post-9/11 efforts inside Afghanistan. He describes the ongoing efforts of Badger Six, the nonprofit that Team Alpha and supporters have created in order to assist the families of those Afghans who were indispensable to Team Alpha, and who are currently facing uncertainty because of Green Card processing in the pipeline for access to U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. About Justin:Justin Sapp is a contingency strategist for Constellis, and recently retired as a US Army Green Beret Colonel following 30 years of exceptionally distinguished service. He received numerous military decorations during his service, including the Defense Superior Service Award and the Bronze Star with “V” device.Find Badger Six at their website: https://badgersix.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 her on Instagram or X ⁠@BWBailey85⁠.
• 
  Temporary Protected Status, Sonia Norton, Daniel Salazar - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 152 24.08.2026 57мин

  Welcome to Episode 152 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 guests are Sonia Norton, Director of Advocacy at No One Left Behind, and Daniel Salazar, a refugee and protection policy advisor at Global Refuge.We discuss Congressional efforts to restore Temporary Protected Status for our Afghan allies, recent legal decisions that impact processing halts for Afghans, and what both No One Left Behind and Global Refuge are doing as the five-year anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal falls.A correction from Daniel on the status of the Dorcas lawsuit: Most of the policies discussed in the Dorcas lawsuit remain vacated. However, the comprehensive re-review of Afghans and others who entered between 2021 and 2025 is allowed to resume. In an order this month, an appeals court sided with the government's motion for a stay pending appeal with respect to that policy. The remainder of the policies-- including the adjudications pause-- remain no longer in effect under the lower court's ruling.About the guests: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/
• 
  Afghan Female Tactical Platoon, Five Years Post-Withdrawal - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 151 17.08.2026 1ч 1мин

  Welcome to Episode 151 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, we're talking about the ongoing effort to find permanency for members of the Female Tactical Platoon, Afghan women who served with their male Afghan National Army Special Operations Command counterparts on vital SOF missions.My guests are advocate and combat veteran Michael Scadden, NXT Mission founder and Cultural Support Team veteran Rebekah Edmondson, and FTP member Farida.We talk about what the FTP did, why it placed them in danger, and what has happened (or not happened) to protect members of the FTP 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/
• 
  Shawn VanDiver & Beth Bailey on Five Years of Advocacy - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 150 10.08.2026 1ч

  Welcome to Episode 150 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. This time, we're talking about who we each were before the withdrawal from Afghanistan took place, and who we became as our allies needed assistance.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/
• 
  Veteran Jon Singleton on Five-Year Withdrawal Anniversary - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 149 03.08.2026 1ч 12мин

  Welcome to Episode 149 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 starts a short series where we'll be diving into the withdrawal from Afghanistan, five years later. My first guest is Jon Singleton, a veteran whose work with Task Force Pineapple was instrumental in helping Afghans as their country fell to the Taliban and the U.S. prepared to depart.We talk about the difficulties of processing this period, and return to the events of five years ago.About Jon Singleton: Jon Singleton is a retired Naval Aviator who’s served in Bosnia, throughout the Middle East, in Afghanistan, and at the Pentagon. For most of the last two decades, he’s been successfully selling residential real estate in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his business partner, Susan Hopkins recently joined Christie’s International Real Estate First Coast, and are about to hit their combined 1000th sale! When he is not keeping busy with work or volunteer efforts, he enjoys time with his family in the historic neighborhood of San Marco.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/
• 
  Mashal Sherullah on supporting Afghan allies in Pakistan - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 147 29.06.2026 49мин

  Welcome to Episode 147 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 am joined by Mashal Sherullah, who has spent years advocating for Afghan allies awaiting processing for the Special Immigrant Visa and U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in Pakistan. We discuss the plight of these Afghans who supported the U.S. mission and why it is imperative to resume processing and protections for these vital allies.About Mashal Sherullah: is Mashal Sherullah is a former USAID advisor and advocates for Afghan allies who worked with the American military. He spent 16 years working at the intersection of humanitarian response, donor relations, and international development. As a Senior Public Administration Advisor, Mashal worked alongside U.S. personnel to strengthen governance, promote community collaboration, and directly support the U.S. mission—especially the development mission in Afghanistan—while also contributing to efforts that safeguarded American personnel. As a Provincial Public Administration Advisor for USAID’s ISLA program, Mashal led initiatives to strengthen public administration capacity in Laghman, Afghanistan. This included developing and implementing standard operating procedures within provincial government and provincial council offices, while regularly engaging with Afghan government counterparts at the provincial, district, and national levels, including the Independent Directorate of Local Governance in Kabul.While waiting to be evacuated to the U.S. after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Mashal observed the severe challenges faced by Afghan allies in the Special Immigrant Visa and U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, who faced prolonged delays and bureaucratic barriers.In response, he mobilized a network of over 1,500 allies and SIV, P1, and P2 applicants. His advocacy contributed to increased engagement with U.S. Embassy officials, helping raise awareness of urgent cases and systemic processing challenges.Mashal is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Management, with a long-term goal of advancing into healthcare philanthropy and nonprofit leadership focused on improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.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/
• 
  Robert Billard discusses Afghanistan strategic failures - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 146 22.06.2026 1ч 1мин

  Welcome to Episode 146 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 am joined by Robert Billard, an Afghanistan veteran and content writer at Military.com. We chat about his Afghanistan deployment as an IA in 2014-15, about his recent article on controversial Gen. Raziq, and about the strategic failures of the Afghanistan warAbout Robert Billard: Robert Billard is a content writer for Military.com and an Afghanistan veteran who joined the Marine Corps in 2005 and has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom twice. Once as a Rifleman with the 6th Provisional Security Company in 2007, and again as a Logistics Advisor to the Afghan National Security Forces in 2014-2015. He is also a veteran of Resolute Support Mission and numerous named overseas exercises in support of various combatant commanders. Robert’s writings have been featured in professional academic journals such as the Journal of Advanced Military Studies and Marine Corps History and he is a contributing author at We Are The Mighty and the Brownstone Institute. Robert is an avid student of military history and strategy and a vocal acolyte of Carl Von Clausewitz. 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/
• 
  International Committee of the Red Cross' Katharina Ritz - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 145 15.06.2026 1ч 2мин

  Welcome to Episode 145 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 am joined by Katharina Ritz, Head of the Afghanistan Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross. Katharina just returned from Kabul, and talks about the various periods in which she has worked in Afghanistan, and about what activities the ICRC is engaged in in Afghanistan at the moment.About Katharina Ritz:Katharina Ritz (born in 1967), holds a degree in General and Surgical Nursing and joined the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1996 and carried out assignments in conflict areas worldwide, in particular Sudan, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Rwanda, in positions of Health and Assistance program Coordinator. From 2003 to 2005, she carried out assignments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Central African Republic and Ivory Cost as Mission / Sub Delegation responsible.As Deputy Head of Delegations, she carried out assignments in Iraq (2005 to 2006), Israeli/Occupied Palestinian Territories (2006 to 2009) and was assigned afterwards as Deputy Head of Operations for South Asia based in Geneva from 2009 to 2011. These assignments were followed by positions as Head of Delegation in the Central African Republic (2011 to 2012) and Head of Delegation in Libya (2012 to 2014). After the assignment in Libya, Katharina Ritz completed a Master of Advanced Studies in Civilian Peacebuilding. The studies were followed by a position as Head of Delegation in Iraq (2015 to 2020), a position as ICRC Head of Delegation in Yemen (September 2020 to February 2023) and started in October 2023 an assignment as ICRC Head of Delegation in Afghanistan.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/
• 
  Yaser Yarghal, former ANA Major, talks Unsabotaged Book - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 144 08.06.2026 1ч 1мин

  Welcome to Episode 144 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, former ANA Major Yaser Yarghal talks about his upbringing and education in Afghanistan, and how he made his way to the Afghan National Military Academy.We talk about his service, and his participation in Ranger School and Airborne School, as well as the frustrations in his ANA career that led him to leave Afghanistan and start creating a life, and a business, in Canada.Yaser talks about his book, Unsabotaged, which is due out in January 2027.About Yaser Yarghal:Yaser Yarghal is a former Afghan Army Major and US Army Ranger and Airborne Graduate who began his military career at the Afghan National Military Academy in 2008 and served in the Afghan National Army until 2020. Born and raised in Khost, Afghanistan, he witnessed the collapse of the Afghan military from the inside before leaving Afghanistan in October 2020 and rebuilding his life in Canada. He is the founder of Unsabotaged, a newsletter and platform about resilience, leadership and building a life nobody can take from you, and is currently writing his memoir of the same name, publishing January 2027.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 Camp As Sayliyah Future, Legal Updates - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 143 01.06.2026 49мин

  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 1ч 9мин

  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 1ч 7мин

  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 35мин

  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 1ч 30мин

  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 1ч 1мин

  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 1ч 16мин

  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 1ч 2мин

  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 1ч 45мин

  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/