Historian Dr. Nabi Misdaq guides the listener through a history of Afghanistan featuring archival audio clips and interviews with policymakers. We examine Afghanistan’s transformation from a sought-after prize of global superpowers to an independent state with aspirations of its own. We end in the present as Afghans seek to build an independent nation while once again the focus of global attention. (Total time: 21:35 minutes.)

Themes include: foreign intervention in Afghanistan in the 19th century; the domestic movements for political and social reform when Afghanistan achieved independence; Afghanistan’s changing role throughout the cold war; the Afghan-Soviet war; the circumstances giving rise to the Taliban; the consequences of 9/11; NATO; and the changing strategy of US/NATO troops.

We hear from American officials and Afghans in an in-depth radio oral history that examines America’s role in the Afghan-Soviet war of the 1980’s, ending with an investigation of the war’s consequences for Afghanistan. (Total time: 36:24 minutes.)

Themes include: the US relationship with Pakistan, Pakistani and US support for mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan; debates within the United States government about funding for mujahideen factions; and the aftermath of the war. Guests include: Former CIA Station Chief Milton Bearden; Former Foreign Service Officer Ed McWilliams; Former Ambassador Robert Oakley; Former Representative Stephen Solarz; and, Former Representative Charlie Wilson.

American officials involved in the planning and execution of US support for Afghan mujahideen in the war against the Soviets help us understand the role religious faith played in the conflict. (Total time: 16:00 minutes.)

Themes include: religion as an element of foreign policy; the personal devotion of Afghan fighters and some American officials; and the ambivalence on the part of American officials about the future role of Islam in Afghanistan.

We listen as AAM senior producer Sean Carberry travels to Paktya and Khost provinces in the fall of 2009. There, he visits an American base – Combat Outpost Harerra – in a rural district of Afghanistan. (Total time: 12:31 minutes.)

Themes include: how the initial surge of troops ordered by President Obama in February of 2009 has affected security in the area; a change in the focus of US and NATO troops to local conditions and local solutions; and the level of cooperation between Afghan and international forces.

We listen as American and Afghan-American experts discuss issues surrounding the rule of law in Afghanistan. (Total time: 22:28 minutes.)

Themes include: the challenges the Afghan government faces in earning the trust of its citizens; corruption; elections; work conditions for judges; and the role of the international community. This program features: J. Alexander Their, USIP; Joan D. Winship, Int’l Association for Women Judges; Tim Nusraty, US Dept. of State.

We listen to an interview with Dr. William Byrd, Afghan expert economist at the World Bank. He explains the current economic challenges faced by Afghanistan. (Total time: 17:19 minutes.)

Themes include: the historical development of a national economy; challenges to reviving the economy post-Taliban; the benefits and drawbacks of international aid; how the brain-drain affects the future of the Afghan economy.

We interview Afghan author Tamim Ansary about his experiences growing up in Afghanistan as the son of an American mother and an Afghan father. (Total time: 14:29 minutes.)

Themes include: the role of Islam in Afghanistan; cultural and political developments in Afghanistan; being an Afghan in the US; the role of literature and the arts in aiding development and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

We watch an interview with Daoud Sediqi, former host of Afghan Star, Afghanistan’s version of American Idol, discussing the impetus for starting the show and its impact on Afghan culture and society. (Total time: 4:57 minutes.)

Themes include: the role of the independent media in Afghanistan; how media affects culture/culture affects media in Afghanistan; the impact of Afghan Star on Afghan audiences; the experiences of contestants on the show after their appearances were televised.

They were thought to be lost or stolen during more than 25 years of conflict in Afghanistan. But in 2003, artifacts covering 2,000 years of Afghan history were discovered safely hidden and well preserved in Kabul. These treasures toured museums across the United States. Archeologist and exhibit curator Fred Heibert takes us on a special tour of the exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. (Total time: 15:21 minutes.)