Episode 250: The Giant of Kandahar feat Noah Kulwin & Brendan James (Blowback Podcast)
Oct 10, 2023
auto_awesome
Noah Kulwin and Brendan James from the Blowback podcast join the hosts to discuss the alleged encounter with a redheaded giant in Kandahar. They delve into the story of the giant, explore the biblical concept of Nephilim, and discuss connections to QAnon followers. They also touch on media attacks, peculiar eyes in artwork, the sexual nature of giants, and the history and perception of Afghanistan. Additionally, they explore the CIA's influence on Hollywood and the belief in giants and their ancestral link.
Claims about US forces fighting and killing a redheaded giant in Kandahar have been perpetuated but face skepticism.
Afghanistan had a different makeup before the Cold War, challenging stereotypes of perpetual conflict and religious extremism.
During the Cold War, Operation Cyclone fueled the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, exacerbating tensions and extremist ideologies.
Understanding Afghanistan requires examining pre-Cold War dynamics, external interventions like Operation Cyclone, and the diverse cultural landscape.
Deep dives
The Legend of the Giant of Kandahar
According to the podcast episode, there are claims that US forces fought and killed a redheaded giant in the Afghan province of Kandahar. This story originated on a radio show in 2008 and has been perpetuated by various enthusiasts. The pilot, a witness in the story, reported seeing a 12-foot, 1,100-pound corpse of a giant with red hair and six fingers. A spec ops team allegedly killed the giant after it attacked them with rocks. The story is further propagated by individuals like L.A. Marzulli, who connects it to the American presence in Afghanistan and claims threats from the deep state. However, the story has faced skepticism and the credibility of the sources has been questioned.
The Real Afghanistan: Pre-Cold War
Before the Cold War, Afghanistan had a different makeup and was not marked by religious extremism. It had neutral relations with superpowers and favored the Soviet Union due to its geographic proximity. The country was a developing economy with ongoing modernization projects that were sabotaged by British interference. The capital had modern institutions, schools, and a more liberal atmosphere, contrasting the conservative and religious countryside. Afghanistan's pre-Cold War image challenges stereotypes of perpetual conflict and religious extremism perpetuated by the later American involvement.
Shift Towards Religious Extremism: Operation Cyclone
During the Cold War, Afghanistan shifted towards religious extremism, particularly Islamic fundamentalism. This transformation was influenced by Operation Cyclone, a covert American program to support anti-Soviet mujahideen fighters. The program aimed to weaken the Soviet Union by creating a quagmire in Afghanistan. Islamic fundamentalism received financial and military assistance, leading to the rise of more radical factions. The Cold War competition between the US and the Soviet Union exacerbated tensions and fueled the influence of extremist ideologies in the region. The repercussions of Operation Cyclone and the subsequent civil war set the stage for the rise of the Taliban and the spread of radicalism in Afghanistan.
The Complex Reality of Afghanistan
The history and dynamics of Afghanistan are complex and cannot be reduced to simple narratives of perpetual conflict or religious extremism. The country's past was characterized by a mix of modernization efforts, traditionalism, and regional politics. Understanding Afghanistan requires examining pre-Cold War dynamics, the impact of external interventions like Operation Cyclone, and the diverse cultural and religious landscape within the country. Oversimplifications can perpetuate stereotypes and hinder a nuanced understanding of Afghanistan's history and present challenges.
The Origins of Operation Cyclone and Afghan Op
Operation Cyclone was a coordinated effort led by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other allies to arm the Mujahideen in Afghanistan in the 1980s. The goal was to counter a progressive communist government that was aligned with the Soviets. The operation began under the Carter administration but expanded under Reagan, with the assistance of Congressman Charlie Wilson. It was seen as a way to deal significant blows to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Debunking the Myth about Rambo Three
Contrary to popular belief, the postscript at the end of Rambo Three dedicating the film to the Mujahideen fighters of Afghanistan is a hoax. There is no evidence that the postscript was changed after the 9/11 attacks. The movie, however, did depict the involvement of the United States in supporting unsavory religious fanatics in Afghanistan, who later engaged in a holy war against America. The film was a successful instance of Hollywood capitalizing on the cultural and political moment surrounding the Soviet Union's involvement in Afghanistan.
The Safari Club and Afghanistan Occupation
The Safari Club was an informal association formed by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other countries to counter the influence of the Soviet Union in the 1970s. It involved intelligence agencies and military leaders and aimed to achieve certain goals that disrupted the Soviet Union. This led to the occupation of Afghanistan by the USSR from 1979 to 1989. The United States, Pakistan, and other allies, through Operation Cyclone, supported and armed the Mujahideen to resist the Soviet occupation. The prolonged conflict resulted in significant loss of lives and eventually paved the way for the rise of the Taliban and the events leading up to 9/11.
Did U.S. forces fight and kill a redheaded giant in the Afghan province of Kandahar? Is it possible to connect the dots about the United States’ role in Afghanistan — and the Middle East — without resorting to stories about giants? We answer these questions with Brendan James and Noah Kulwin of the Blowback podcast.
Subscribe for $5 a month to get an extra episode of QAA every week + access to ongoing series like Manclan, Trickle Down and The Spectral Voyager: www.patreon.com/QAnonAnonymous
Blowback: https://blowback.show
Noah Kulwin: https://twitter.com/nkulw
Brendan James: https://twitter.com/deep_beige
Music by Pontus Berghe. Editing by Corey Klotz.
http://qanonanonymous.com
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
