Welcome to Episode 109 of The Afghanistan Project, where we cover all topics related to two decades of war in Afghanistan, and the fallout of our Afghanistan withdrawal.

Today I have three incredible guests, Hosna Jalil, AnniePforzheimer, and Jason Howk, joining me to talk about the gender apartheid and terrorist regime in place inside Afghanistan four years following the collapse of the former Afghan government, and how opponents of that regime can support those who seek a free, inclusive, and democratic future for Afghanistan

We talk about the greatest disappointments of the past fouryears, the near recognition that many Western countries have expressed in regard to the de facto government, and the heinous pain that Afghan women face in their homeland.

We also discuss possible solutions for returning peace toAfghanistan, and note why the world should be concerned about the Taliban’s gender apartheid system and growing terrorist network inside Afghanistan.

About Hosna, Annie, and Jason:

Hosna Jalil is a former Afghan government official who madehistory as one of the youngest and first women to serve in senior leadership roles. She served as the Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs and later as the Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, following her role as Director of Policy at the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum. Now based in the U.S., Hosna continues her work at the intersection of governance, security, and women’s empowerment, focusing on policy, innovation, and education to counter extremism and buildmore inclusive systems.

Annie Pforzheimer is a retired U.S. Department of Statecareer diplomat with the rank of Minister Counselor, an Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, an Adjunct Professor at Pace University and the City University of New York, a human rights advocate and a foreign policy commentator. She is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves as Board Chair for Women for Afghan Women, a social service agencyin the US and Afghanistan. Ms. Pforzheimer is the author of numerous articles and op-eds on Afghanistan policy, and co-author of studies and articles on issues relating to international organized crime and fentanyl. Her thirty-yeardiplomatic career focused on security, rule of law, and human rights policy. She was the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Kabul; Office Director for UN peacekeeping and sanctions; head of the $700 million security assistanceprogram in Mexico; the lead human rights officer in Turkey and South Africa; and director at the National Security Council regarding Central American migration. Ms. Pforzheimer is a graduate of Harvard University, with a Masters degree in National Security Studies from the National Defense University.

Jason Howk is a US Army veteran whose service spanned major developments of our Afghan adventure, from supporting the early development of the Afghan National Army in 2002, to overseeing interagency teams of civiliansworking to establish enduring security in the region in 2013. Jason is now the Board President of Global Friends of Afghanistan, a diverse organization of Afghan andinternational leaders searching for paths to a democratic and peaceful future for Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Taliban’s rule. Jason is also a writer, musical collaborator, and adjunct professor of Islamic Studies at the US Air Force Special Operations School.

About the host:

Beth Bailey worked in support of Afghanistan operations as acivilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner.

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