The Afghan Question

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
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Original Air Date: 
May 10, 2009

Why are we in Afghanistan? To destroy the Al-Qaeda? To make sure the Taliban doesn't get back in power? Both? What is the economic impact of the war on the US economy? And, just what would victory in Afghanistan look like anyway? The Obama Administration's refocusing the US military. But after years of war in Iraq, after Abu Grabib, after WMDs…does the US still have the moral authority to conduct nation building?

Ahmed Rashid on "Descent into Chaos"

To The Best Of Our Knowledge
Audio

Ahmed Rashid worked as an advisor to Richard Holbrooke, Obama's special envoy to the Pakistani region and says the U.S. was never really interested in the Afghanistan's real problems when we rush in.

Craig Mullaney on "The Unforgiving Minute"

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Audio

In 2003, Craig Mullaney led an infantry rifle platoon along the hostile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

David Kilcullen on "The Accidental Guerrilla"

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David Kilcullen, an advisor to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and an architect of the Troop Surge in Iraq under General Petraeus, talks about the problem with traditional counter-insurgency efforts.

Robert Greenwald on "Rethink Aghanistan"

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Audio

Robert Greenwald supports the Obama administration but thinks they're dead wrong about Afghanistan.

Extras

Background Music:

  • And They All Looked Broken Hearted
  • Slow Jam
  • Hands
  • My Angel Rocks Back and Forth
Show Details 📻
Airdates
May 10, 2009
Guests: 

Ahmed Rashid

Journalist
ahmedrashid.com

Craig Mullaney

Soldier

David Kilcullen

Author

Robert Greenwald

Director
Categories: 
Politics and History
Last modified: 
August 02, 2024