Was British involvement in Afghanistan worth it?

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The Times

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4 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 1 August 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It’s been four years since the Taliban retook control of Kabul, marking the end of the UK’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. This week, Patrick sits down with James Cowan, CEO of the HALO Trust and a former army officer who led Task Force Helmand from 2009 to 2010. Together, they reflect on the 2021 evacuation, the recent Afghan data leak, their regrets, and whether Britain’s involvement in Afghanistan was, frankly, worth it.

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