Townhall Conversation with Afghanistan

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A decade after the attacks of September 11th, the war in Afghanistan continues to take its toll on Afghans and Americans alike. In the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda, thousands of lives have been lost and millions have been affected.

To mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and honor the sacrifices made by both Afghans and Americans, America Abroad Media, WAMU 88.5 FM, and Radio Killid Afghanistan brought together audiences in Washington and Kabul – including members of US military families – for a candid conversation between Afghans and Americans. Discussion focused on the personal costs of war and life in Afghanistan today, as the US troop drawdown begins and the Taliban insurgency continues.

The program will broadcast across Afghanistan on Radio Killid and will air on public radio stations across the U.S.

Guests include:

• Bob Kinder is Senior Vice President of International Operations at Drop Test International, a private consulting firm specializing in advising the US military and international community on counter-insurgency and counter-terror activities. A retired military officer, Bob spent a total of six years in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Anna Berlinrut is the mother of a Marine Officer who deployed to Afghanistan in May 2011. She lives in New Jersey and is a member of Military Families Speak Out, an organization of people who have relatives serving in the military and are against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Hassina Sherjan is founder and country director of Aid Afghanistan for Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and rehabilitating Afghanistan’s education system.
• Salam Rahimy is director general of Saba Media Organization, an independent, non-profit media organization based in Kabul, Afghanistan.