Introduction

Jeremy Cliffe in Berlin and Emily Tamkin in Washington DC are joined by the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, John Simpson to discuss the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

They talk about the country’s history of rapid takeovers, the failings of the US and allies and what life is like in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

Then in You Ask Us, they answer a listener’s question on whether President Obama’s surge could have made a difference to the future of Afghanistan.

If you have a question for You Ask Us, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk

Further reading:

John Simpson’s New Statesman essay on the Afghan tragedy.

Emily Tamkin on how the decision to withdraw will haunt Joe Biden's presidency.

Rory Simpson's interview on the end of liberal Interventionism

The New Statesman coverage on the of Afghanistan

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