In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk to Khalid Payenda, the former Finance Minister of Afghanistan. Mr. Payenda, who served as Minister from January-August 2021, discusses his life, work in the Finance Ministry, and state of Afghanistan. Having fled to Pakistan as a child to flee civil war, Mr. Payenda recounts his experiences and his dedication to serving his country. The conversation then moves to his experiences with and perspectives on the U.S. intervention and difficulties of nation-building. Mr. Payenda also delves into Afghanistan's economy, noting the reliance on foreign aid. The conversation concludes with a frank discussion on life under Taliban rule and whether there should be any hope for the future.
For more information on Mr. Payenda and Afghanistan, please check out this story.
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