#025: No One Left Behind - Afghanistan And The Global War On Terror

The Jedburgh Podcast

September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. The United States of America was attacked by Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda Terrorist Network. They were provided safe haven and protection by the Taliban. Within weeks of the attack, United Special Forces - the Green Berets launched an offensive into Afghanistan backed by the power of the US Air Force. The Taliban was defeated in weeks.

Since then, the United States and the international community have built and supported the Afghan government and the Afghan military as part of the Global War on Terror. Now, 20 years later, the United States has left Afghanistan. The Taliban is back in control of the country. Thousands of Afghans are displaced and back under threat by an oppressive regime. An unknown number of American citizens remain stranded. And the world is left wondering both...how did we get here...and where do we go from here.

Host Fran Racioppi is joined by former Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, No One Left Behind Board Members Mariah Smith and JD Dolan, and Sonia Nawrooz - an Afghan immigrant whose family remains stranded in Kabul. Secretary Miller was one of the first Green Berets into Afghanistan in 2001. Mariah, JD and Sonia lead No One Left Behind and its mission to support the relocation, resettlement and humanitarian efforts to aid displaced Afghan refugees. Mariah and JD have each served in Afghanistan three times. Sonia is an Ambassador to incoming Afghan immigrants to the United States.

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website.

Highlights:

-The group shares their 9/11 stories of where they were, the impact the attack had on each of them and how they have answered the nation's call since.

-We break down the rise of the Taliban and how 200 Special Operators and Paramilitary Officers defeated them in 2001.

-We analyze how America’s investment and presence for 20 years in Afghanistan has still resulted in a chaotic withdrawal, the resurgence of the Taliban and an equally dire situation in Afghanistan now.

-The group lays out the next steps politically, diplomatically and militarily for the United States and the international community in Afghanistan.

-No One Left Behind explains their mission to resettle Afghan refugees now displaced, how the Special Immigrant Visa process works, and how we can all get involved.

Quotes:

-”My heart and my mind are with all the women and girls stuck there...history is repeating itself.”

-”We trained them to fight a different way...it was completely predictable to me.”

-”I had hoped that there would be a way that the international community and us, the US, would have stayed involved for multiple generations.”

-“This is what we created Special Forces for. The mission of the Special Forces Regiment was to go behind enemy lines, link up with insurgent, surrogate forces and overthrow tyrannical regimes.”

-”My translator’s still there. My friend is still there. What can I do? What should I do?”

-“If I don’t do this, who will perish? This becomes a moral obligation.”

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