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The Story

'The Taliban will kill me': The interpreter trying to flee Kabul

The Story

The Times

Politics, Uk News, News, Long-form Audio, Global News, In-depth Journalism, Daily News, Exclusive Interviews, Audio Storytelling, News Analysis, Current Affairs, Investigative Reporting, Daily News Podcast

3.91.6K Ratings

🗓️ 17 August 2021

⏱️ 35 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As the Taliban takes power in Afghanistan, we follow one former interpreter for American and British troops who is trying to escape the country – and speak to the retired major general trying to help his friend to safety.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Ahmadzai, former interpreter for British and American forces in Afghanistan.

- Charlie Herbert, retired British Army major general.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, CBS, NBC, CNN.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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1:09.0

It began as Operation Enduring Freedom.

1:13.0

20 years on, not much has endured.

1:17.0

The Afghan government's crumbled before the last NATO plane has even left the runway.

1:24.0

Amid scenes of chaos yesterday, Afghans mobbed Kabul airport, clinging to the wings of the American planes,

1:34.0

desperate for any way out.

1:37.0

Videos showed people falling to their deaths as the planes took off.

1:48.0

The last month has been the Taliban's own version of shock and awe.

2:09.0

Within hours of arriving in the capital, they stormed the presidential palace.

2:14.0

They took control of ministries and TV stations.

2:18.0

They claim the residents of Kabul will be safe, but not many are convinced.

...

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