Leaving Afghanistan

May 25, 2022 00:44:55
Leaving Afghanistan
The Spear
Leaving Afghanistan

May 25 2022 | 00:44:55

/

Show Notes

In the late summer of 2021, after years of service to his country—including four years at the United States Military Academy—Major Naqib Mirzada, an Afghan National Army Special Forces officer, and his family fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's seizure of Kabul. Arriving at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 15, amid the US-led coalition's withdrawal from the country, Naqib and his family spent several grueling days trying to escape. On this episode, he tells the story of those last chaotic days in Afghanistan and the start of his life in the United States.

This episode was jointly produced with the West Point Center for Oral History. The full video of Naqib’s interview will be available on the Center for Oral History’s website in the coming weeks.

Other Episodes

Episode

April 10, 2019 00:36:31
Episode Cover

Drafted Twice: From the NFL to Vietnam and Back

In 1968, after one season as a professional football player, Rocky Bleier was drafted by the Army and sent to Vietnam. During a firefight,...

Listen

Episode

September 14, 2022 00:53:57
Episode Cover

Reflections on Being First In

We are now twenty-one years past the events of 9/11. America's war in Afghanistan has come to an end yet the repercussions of that...

Listen

Episode

November 23, 2023 00:41:28
Episode Cover

In the Skies above Anbar

In 2007, United States Marine Captain Kyleanne Hunter was flying escort missions above Marines operating in western Iraq. When the Marines on the ground...

Listen