76. Andrew Quilty - ’August in Kabul’ and the return of the Taliban

My guest today is Andrew Quilty, an Australian photojournalist, investigative journalist, and author. Andrew is the recipient of eight Walkley Awards, including the Gold Walkley, for his work in Afghanistan, where he has been based since 2013. He joined me to discuss his recently published book, August in Kabul: America's last days in Afghanistan, which is an intimate and deeply personal account of the fall of Kabul and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August last year. Andrew was one of a handful of foreign journalists who remained in Kabul to witness and document this event.

Some of the topics we covered are:

• Andrew’s exit from Afghanistan
• Reflection on the birth and message of Andrew’s book ‘August in Kabul’
• Hedging your bets as a means of survival in Afghanistan
• The reality faced by everyday Afghans after the fall of Kabul
• Reflection on the support for the Taliban throughout Afghanistan
• The muddy nature of relationships across front lines
• Why the Afghan government collapsed so quickly on 15 August 2021
• The US-Taliban agreement in Doha
• Impact of US military and logistical support withdrawal on the Afghan National Security Forces
• Government lack of legitimacy in the eye of everyday people
• The fall of Kabul on 15 August 2021 as observed from the ground
• Survivor guilt and hardships of refugees
• ISIS Kabul Airport attack and hell at Abbey Gate
• US drone strike and impact of collateral damage
• The reality and challenges of regime change
• Andrew’s future

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