The Boardwalk

This week we discussed the various intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets that were deployed in Afghanistan in support of intelligence collection and training for our Afghan counterparts. Another guest joins us to help explain those processes as well as to help shed light on some of the office politics and misuse of assets that got in the way of effective ISR tasking. We also...

This week we talk to a friend who served as an Army Ranger and provides his insights on the nearly 20-year long counterterrorism mission, the original reason for America's involvement in Afghanistan. We discuss how the rather successful counterterrorism mission would eventually take a back seat to the counterinsurgency that developed during the Afghan election season of 2004. In the second ha...

This week we discuss the role Pakistan has played in supporting the Taliban and al-Qaida's efforts in Afghanistan. We talk about why Afghanistan matters to Pakistan and what Pakistan hopes to gain in Afghanistan following the United States' withdrawal in July. We also talk about the very real and very serious terrorism problems Pakistan has within its borders combatting the Tehrik-i-Tali...

This week we provide a look at our lives deployed in Kandahar, including office politics, both good and bad management practices, and some recreational fun outside of work. We also discuss the overuse of US Special Forces throughout the War on Terror, and the detrimental effects that had when returning home. Additionally, we talk about how corruption, misuse, and an ineffective conventional counte...

This week we discuss the ongoing long term detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the recruiting tool it has become for Islamic extremist groups worldwide. We also talk about some of the detention and torture practices that were ongoing in the early days of Afghanistan, either through traditional military units or the now infamous CIA enhanced interrogation techniques program, and the lack of accou...

In this week's episode we highlight the perpetual problem during the War in Afghanistan of US commanders lying to policymakers and the American people in order to perpetuate the war. We also discuss some examples of the wasteful nature of the Department of Defense and how their "spend at all costs" attitude has ballooned the war effort to over $2 trillion.  Also with us this week is...

In this week's episode we discuss all things Taliban. Created in 1994 by local village mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban would eventually become the governing body in Afghanistan in 1996. The Taliban's lack of experience led to a rocky tenure as the governing body before their leadership ultimately fled to Pakistan in the wake of 9/11. The Taliban became an insurgent movement, taking adv...

In this episode we talk about Kandahar Provincial Chief of Police Abdul Raziq. An illiterate member of the Achekzai Pashtuns, Abdul Raziq rose through the ranks to become one of the most powerful, influential, and feared figures in Afghanistan. We discuss his rise to power, command style, and the allegations of human rights violations he incurred during his time as the Chief of Police. We also dis...

In this episode we discuss the ethnic, tribal, and cultural dynamics of Afghanistan.  We go into detail about Pashtunwali, the way of the Pashtuns, and how it guides everyday life in southern Afghanistan, as well as the Pashtun interpretation of Islam. We also talk about distrust throughout southern Afghanistan and how we tried to work through glaring, and sometimes horrendous, differences in cult...

In this episode we discuss America's ever-evolving strategy in Afghanistan at all levels - from the presidency down to local military leadership. We also talk about a failed bet on the 2016 election and the worst cake ever made that resulted from it, and we introduce the topic of our next episode: Afghan culture. _________________________________________   Where to Listen: Apple: https://bit....

In the wake of President Biden's decision to remove all US troops from Afghanistan, we discuss our time in Afghanistan and introduce some key figures from the conflict in southern Afghanistan. _________________________________________   Where to Listen: Apple: https://bit.ly/theboardwalkapple   Spotify: https://bit.ly/theboardwalkspotify   Pandora: https://bit.ly/3xZ8bk9   Google Podcasts: ht...