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The Afghanistan Project Podcast

Mikael Cook
Afghanistan
Taliban
Women's Rights
U.S. Withdrawal
SIV Program
United States
U.S. Military
Human Rights
Afghan Allies
Education
Afghan Refugees
U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan
Special Immigrant Visa
Executive Orders
Al-Qaeda
No One Left Behind
Phillip Linderman
Special Immigrant Visa Program
US Refugee Admissions Program
Mental Health

Welcome to The Afghanistan Project Podcast, where hosts Mikael Cook and Beth Bailey highlight the struggles of Afghans living under Taliban rule, and the efforts of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and political affiliations who have stepped up to provide support to the people of Afghanistan in the chaos that followed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes176Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Afghanistan Project Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 Afgha... more

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 ... more

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... more

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 i... more

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Recent Guests

Mashal Sherullah
Former USAID advisor and advocate for Afghan allies in Pakistan
Advocate for Afghan allies (Pakistan)
Episode: Mashal Sherullah on supporting Afghan allies in Pakistan - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 147
Robert Billard
Afghanistan veteran, content writer for military.com
Military.com / Afghanistan veteran
Episode: Robert Billard discusses Afghanistan strategic failures - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 146
Katharina Ritz
Head of the Afghanistan Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Episode: International Committee of the Red Cross' Katharina Ritz - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 145
Yaser Yarghal
Former Afghan Army Major, US Army Ranger and Airborne graduate; founder of Unsabotaged
Unsabotaged / Author-in-progress
Episode: Yaser Yarghal, former ANA Major, talks Unsabotaged Book - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 144
Mark Schmitz
Gold Star Father, founder of Freedom 13 Recreational Healing Camp
Freedom 13
Episode: Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz & The Freedom 13 Healing Camp - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 142
Ellen Smith
Founder and Executive Director of Keeping Our Promise (Rochester, NY)
Keeping Our Promise
Episode: Ellen Smith of Keeping Our Promise brings a good news story - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 141
Graham Aikin
Part-time PhD student at King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence, expert on terrorism in Afghanistan
King's College London (Centre for the Study of Intelligence)
Episode: Terror in Afghanistan with Colin Smith, Graham Aikin - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 139
Colin Smith
UK threat assessment expert and coordinator of the UN Monitoring Team
United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team
Episode: Terror in Afghanistan with Colin Smith, Graham Aikin - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 139
Spencer Sullivan
US Army combat veteran and author
Not Our Problem co-author
Episode: Spencer Sullivan and Abdulhaq Sodais' 'Not Our Problem' - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 138

Hosts

Beth Bailey
Host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast; focuses on Afghan civilians, advocacy, and policy impact.
Mikael Cook
Co-host focused on Afghan affairs, veteran perspectives, and humanitarian topics.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Just subscribed

    Great podcast… My Dad a decorated combat vet long, long before the Global War on Terror and he’d have enjoyed this platform.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amdyfyn
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The storytelling is complemented by actionable policy insights that can help sponsors connect with a mission-driven audience.
Listeners appreciate the authentic, on-the-ground perspective from veterans and advocates.
The show is seen as a credible source for Afghan refugee policy and humanitarian updates.
The host duo is perceived as informed and values-driven in presenting complex geopolitical issues.
Audience members often mention learning practical steps for advocacy and fundraising.
If you want to be a guest, highlight concrete impact, field experience, and clear takeaways for listeners.
Sponsorships appealing to humanitarian relief and veteran support organizations may resonate well.
Guests' personal stories sometimes provide emotionally heavy but impactful context for policy discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#87
Ireland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

International Committee of the Red Cross' Katharina Ritz - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 145
Q: What about something I've been concerned about during your first time in Afghanistan in 97, that was we saw maternal mortality rate and access to female medical care in more recent times?
She discusses ongoing challenges around women's access to health services, the need for female doctors in rural areas, and the importance of maintaining female staff to serve women and families.
Mashal Sherullah on supporting Afghan allies in Pakistan - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 147
Q: Why are Afghan journalists and lawyers at such risk and why are they eligible for these processes?
They supported the U.S. mission over two decades, often at district and provincial levels, and held roles (attorney, journalist) critical to governance and information. Their exposure to Taliban retaliation and the potential harm in their home country makes them high-risk and deserving of protected status and expedited processing.
Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz & The Freedom 13 Healing Camp - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep 142
Q: What was it like for you to hear about Jared's experience and his willingness to serve?
Mark describes pride in Jared's commitment from a young age, the deep respect for his son's choices, and how Jared's determination shaped his family's approach to honoring his memory.
Spencer Sullivan and Abdulhaq Sodais' 'Not Our Problem' - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 138
Q: What motivated you to tell this story now?
Our goal has always been to humanize refugees by sharing the lived experiences of those who served with us and the consequences of policy decisions, not for fame, but to foster empathy and understanding.
ODA 595 and VF-213 in 2001 Afghanistan - Part 1 - The Afghanistan Project Podcast Ep. 133
Q: What was the original mission before the situation on the ground forced a shift?
Original mission was personnel recovery and ground support for isolated Americans; quickly pivoted to unconventional warfare and ground support as targets and interagency plans coalesced.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Afghanistan Project Podcast

What is The Afghanistan Project Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show consistently centers on Afghanistan's ongoing humanitarian and political crisis, with a strong emphasis on the human impact of policy decisions. Conversations cover Afghan civilians under Taliban governance, refugee processing and asylum pathways, veteran and ally perspectives, and grassroots advocacy work that connects military experiences with relief and education initiatives. Notable moments tend to highlight personal journeys, resilience in the face of upheaval, and specific advocacy actions—ranging from CAS relocations to op-ed strategies—providing listeners with practical takeaways for philanthropy, policy, and on-the-ground support. The show stands out for weaving frontline storytelling with policy an... more

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How many episodes of The Afghanistan Project Podcast are there?

The Afghanistan Project Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 176 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Afghanistan Project Podcast?

Recent guests on The Afghanistan Project Podcast include:

1. Mashal Sherullah
2. Robert Billard
3. Katharina Ritz
4. Yaser Yarghal
5. Mark Schmitz
6. Ellen Smith
7. Graham Aikin
8. Colin Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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