Podcasts about provincial reconstruction team

When I worked at the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province, I was largely based at the Forward Operating Base in Lashkar Gah - the main city of Helmand. There, amid the dust and noise of an active military campaign, there was a small, beautifully tended garden inside the base. I'm going to be honest and say that I was too preoccupied with my own job ever to ask myself who was responsible for its upkeep- even as I enjoyed that little slice of tranquility and beauty almost every day. Had I stopped to find out, I would have learned that the gardener was Shaista Gul, a local Afghan citizen whose hard work created a beautiful garden in the most unlikely place. By talking on this job, Shaista, and the thousands of Afghans, many of them interpreters, that served Britain during its involvement in the NATO mission, became enemies of the Taliban, facing constant threats, and worse, including murder. After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, some lucky Afghans were able to escape on evacuation flights from Kabul. But most were left behind and thousands made their way to Pakistan, including many that had been assured of resettlement in the UK. This month, the government of Pakistan has decided to expel all undocumented Afghans in the country believed to be around 1.5 million people. Of these, around 2,000 have been accepted as eligible to come to Britain in recognition of their past service with our forces. But thanks to a cost-saving policy made by Rishi Sunak last year, these people were kept in Pakistan in preference to bringing them to the UK where the migration system is under acute strain. Now these people, who risked their lives serving our country, find themselves threatened with being returned to Afghanistan by the Pakistani government. The story of Britain's treatment of those Afghans that worked with us during our involvement in that country is the subject of Larisa Brown's book, the Gardener of Lashkar Gah. Larisa is a defence correspondent, currently with The Times and previously working for the Daily Mail. She joined me, just as Pakistan was preparing to start its campaign of expulsions, to talk about Shaista Gul and the wider history of Britain's betrayal of its Afghan friends.You can find Larisa's book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gardener-of-lashkar-gah-9781399411028/ I am on https://arthursnell.substack.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Betsy Wurzel's guest is Lauren Kay Johnson an Air Force Veteran, Author, and Writer of THE FINE ART OF CAMOUFLAGE, and Lauren discusses the title of her book, how people do camouflage themselves, why Lauren went into the military, and how being in the Airforce in Afghanistan had affected her life in so many ways.Lauren Kay Johnson was a Public Affairs Officer in a Provincial Reconstruction Team and discussed what she did in Afghanistan. Lauren also discussed how her mom being deployed when she was seven years old had an effect on her. Lauren went on to discuss Mental Health Issues concerning what “Moral Injury” is, she eventually went for counseling, and the stigma surrounding Mental Health, especially for Military Veterans!Lauren Kay Johnson recommends any Veteran exposed to “burn pits” to please apply for the PACT ACT. The information is in the Contact Section.Afghanistan had affected her life in so many ways

This edition features stories on an insurgent assault, a medical outreach by Marines to the local population, and a Provincial Reconstruction Team building relationships with the local village leaders and the government. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Gene Taylor.

This edition features stories on a request for more troops in Afghanistan, a Provincial Reconstruction Team that have an ally in the District Sub-Governor, and three New York National Guard Soldiers, serving in Afghanistan, who remember 9/11 . Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Gene Taylor.

This edition features stories on a car bombing in Kabul, landmines on Bagram airfield, and a Provincial Reconstruction Team visiting a clinic under construction. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Gene Taylor.

This edition features stories on an aircraft accident at Bagram Airfield, a Provincial Reconstruction Team organizing medical checkups for Afghanistan citizens, and an Afghan and American medic teaming up to help people in a village. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Gene Taylor.

This edition features stories on a visit by Gen. Petraeus to Bagram Airfield, a dental care course provided by the U.S.Public Health Service and a Provincial Reconstruction Team for Afghans across the country and Airmen at Manas Airbase who helped winterize a school. Hosted by Tech Sgt. Gene Taylor.

This edition features stories on coalition forces capturing six militants, FOB Salerno's operating room patients and a Provincial Reconstruction Team providing veterinary care to a tribe in Afghanistan. Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Gene Taylor.

This edition features stories on a group of Chaplains traveling to the Troops to provide religous services to service members in remote areas, for the holiday season, and a U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team that is helping local Afghan citizens in Nangahar province. Hosted by Sgt. Brian Buckwalter.

This edition features stories about a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device detonating outside of an entry control point at Bagram Air Field, A unit providing security to the Provincial Reconstruction Team at Forward Operating Base Gardez, and a Morale Welfare and Recreation facility built and staffed by volunteer Soldiers Hosted by Cpl. Kimberly Crawford.

This edition features stories about a community coping with the aftermath of a vehicle borne improvised explosive device and a Provincial Reconstruction Team program devised to supply local residents with drinkable water. Hosted by Senior Airman Jaime Ciciora.

This edition features stories on Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz visiting service members stationed in Afghanistan and a Provincial Reconstruction Team teaching local Afghanistan workers building techniques as they build a library. Hosted by Senior Airman Amanda Wowk

Package made from "A Multinational PRT" in the B-roll section about Croatian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Japanese and American military and civilians working together to bring security and development to Ghor Province, Afghanistan as part of a Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team. This version includes voiceover and graphics. Produced by Ruth Owen for NATO TV.

This edition features stories on service members celebrating International Women's day and Women's history month during the month of March and a Soldier who works in a Provincial Reconstruction Team civil affairs position preforming with her fellow Soldiers in Afghanistan. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Ali Rose

This edition features a story about ISAF Soldiers killing four insurgents in Kapisa Province, and a Provincial Reconstruction Team overseeing the construction of a high school. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Joy Meek. Afghanistan

This edition features a story on Afghanistan and coalition forces finding a weapons cache in Helmand province and a Provincial Reconstruction team meeting with Afghan officials to find a girl's school in the area. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Michael Jackson

This edition features stories on soldiers from the Afghanistan national army starting a leadership class in Zabul province and a provincial reconstruction team working with Afghanistan villages to convince them to sign a contract with the Afghan government promising not to allow insurgent forces to operate in them. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Michael Jackson

This edition features a story on an Afghan - International Security Force detaining two suspected militants in Kandahar, Afghanistan and the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team working with local leaders to build trust and put the local people to work on projects that will improve the conditions in Panjshir. Includes soundbites with Spc. Allison Cherkosly, a civil affairs specialist. Hosted by Senior Airman Jay Hernandez.

This edition features stories on Afghan International Security Forces detaining suspected insurgents during searches for Taliban leaders in two provinces of Afghanistan and New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team and U.S. Soldiers working with the Afghan National Police in a combined effort to provide security and deter insurgency for a local village in Bamyan province, Afghanistan. Includes a soundbite from Army Cpl. Loretta Stalnaker, a military police officer. Hosted by Petty Officer 1st Class Dustin Diaz.

This edition features stories on Provincial Reconstruction Team members helping Afghan girls by improving their existing learning environments, a Diversity Day celebration at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, service members accruing tax-free leave while deployed, a new recycling program for Southwest Asia, a radio disc jockey that keeps the Afghan people informed and entertained, an Airman who is an Engagement Coordinator stationed at Ramstein, Germany, helping bridge the cultural gap between the U.S. and Africa. Hosted by Senior Airman Brad Sisson.

U.S. Forces have been working to rebuild Afghanistan with the help of local contractors. Staff Sgt. Yoshi Shinzato tells us what one Provincial Reconstruction Team is doing to correct construction issues. Includes sound bites from Capt. Phillip Hinson, Provincial Reconstruction Team, Paktiya province, Project Inspector. Hosted by Lance Cpl. Clayton Rogers

This edition features a stories on Afghan leaders and U.S. service members from the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team celebrating the opening of the National Voice of Paktika radio station, the Afghan government-led initiative, Cooperation for Kandahar. Hosted by Petty Officer 1st Class Dustin Diaz.

This edition features a story on the provincial reconstruction team at Forward Operating Base Ghazni benefiting the community by sponsoring a medical clinic. Hosted by Lance Cpl. Clayton Rogers. Includes soundbites from Petty Officer 3rd Class Yuli Talyansky - hospital corpsman from Sunnydale, Calif.

Coalition forces work hard everyday to ensure the stability of the Afghan people and government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. James Zannetti takes us to Kunar province where the Provincial Reconstruction Team provides this stability through bridge projects. Includes sound bites from Lt. David Pfaefflin, Junior Engineer, Kunar, PRT, Kunar province, Afghanistan

This edition features a story about how the mission of the Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Agribusiness Development Team are as political as they are essential to the U.S. strategy of winning hearts and minds. Air Force Staff Sgt. Yoshi Shinzato tells us how Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktiya partnered up with the Oklahoma Agribusiness Development Team in an effort to aid District Governors and assess the conditions of local markets in Afghanistan. Sound bites include Faiz Mohammad - Shopkeeper and Col. Robert Roshell - Oklahoma Agribusiness Team. Produced by Staff Sgt. Yoshi Shinzato and Hosted by Cpl. Kevin Beebe.

This edition features stories on a new Women's Health Center being built in Paktika province to teach Afghan women to be midwives while Provincial Reconstruction Team is overseeing the construction. Soundbites from Tom Brinkworth. Produced by Petty Officer Santos Huante, Senior Airman Chance Smith.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout Afghanistan have projects in development with local contractors. Petty Officer Santos Huante shows us what PRT Paktika has in the works. Available in high definition. Sound bites from John Keys, Civil Engineer. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Marshall Hunsaker.

A Sar Hawza school in Paktika province gets much needed attention courtesy of Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktika. Petty Officer Huante Santos has more. Sound bites from Lt. Jason Buswell, PRT Paktika Project Manager. Available in high definition

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton recently announced that he would not run for president in 2024. And yet at the same time, he continues to be one of the most important voices in Washington on all matters involving American foreign policy and national security. Senator Cotton also recently penned a new book, called Only The Strong. He returns to the podcast to discuss issues ranging from Iran and Russia/Ukraine to China and a proposed ban of TikTok. Senator Cotton represents Arkansas in the Senate. He currently serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee -- where he is the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism; he sits on the Intelligence Committee, and the Armed Services Committee. He is a graduate of Harvard, and Harvard Law School. He served nearly five years on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer. -- in Iraq with the 101st Airborne and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Senator Cotton also served as a platoon leader in the Old Guard in Arlington Cemetery. To order copies of Senator Cotton's books: Only the Strong -- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-the-strong-tom-cotton/1141450141 Sacred Duty -- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sacred-duty-tom-cotton/1129745532

In his new book, “Only the Strong: Reversing the Left's Plot to Sabotage American Power,” Senator Tom Cotton exposes the left's decades-long plot to sabotage American power and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the dangerous failures of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and explains what we must do to recover America's strength. Newt's guest is Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas. He served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between combat tours, he served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”) at Arlington National Cemetery. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Erik W. Goepner – "Linking Trauma to the Prevalence of Civil War" This podcast argues the more trauma endured by a population, the more civil war the country will experience in the future. Drawing on mental health, trauma, and neurobiological research, it builds a new theory of civil war that fills existing gaps in current civil-war literature, and then tests the theory via statistical analysis of a large sample size (large-n statistical analysis). The conclusions will help policymakers and US military leadership better understand civil wars and the limits of American power to end them. Click here to read the article. Keywords: civil war, violence, insurgency, trauma, mental illness Episode Transcript: “Linking Trauma to the Prevalence of Civil War” Stephanie Crider (Host) Welcome to Decisive Point, a US Army War College Press production featuring distinguished authors and contributors who get to the heart of the matter in national security affairs. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army, the US Army War College, or any other agency of the US government. Decisive Point welcomes Dr. Erik W. Goepner, author of “Explaining the Prevalence of Civil War,” which appeared in the autumn 2022 issue of Parameters. Goepner has a PhD in public policy from George Mason University. A retired US Air Force colonel, he currently works as a civil servant in the federal government. Welcome to Decisive Point, Erik. Thank you for being here. (Erik W. Goepner) Hi, Stephanie. It's nice to be with you. Host Let's get started. Your article argues the more trauma endured by a population, the more civil war the country will experience in the future. Lay the groundwork for us, please. (Goepner) Sure. The trauma theory kind of has its origins in the experiences and observations of my Provincial Reconstruction Team. We were in southern Afghanistan in 2010—height of the surge, give or take—and the president had said words to the effect of “You have 18 months to get it done.” So we were busy iterating. If we found something that worked, we would do as much of it as we could—kind of channel your Will Ferrell, “more cowbell” here. And if we were doing things that weren't achieving objectives, we tried to, as dispassionately and quickly as we could, jettison them and just stop doing them. Not long into our deployment, we started to see different evidence that suggested trauma was having a huge, negative impact in Afghanistan and a significant impact on our ability to kind of achieve an enduring peace in the country. We're in a culture—particularly, with the Pashtuns—where emotional control is like a really big deal. We'd go to shūrās, which are Afghan meetings where they have 20, 30, 40 village elders and government officials, and we'd see men going into hysterics. We would see examples of towns that were firmly under the control of insurgents rise up very briefly; push the insurgents out; and then, just as soon, kind of kowtow and capitulate to the insurgents again. But, perhaps most importantly, we'd see violence used frequently in everyday settings. You know, think of the idea of normalizing the use of violence in your everyday life. So we'd be with a district chief. The district chief would get angry at another official in the public setting, would just smack the official in the head—like, really hard. You'd have middle-aged, field-grade officers in the Afghan police or the Afghan army. And when they would have a dispute, instead of debating it or just maybe flipping each other the bird, they would actually get into a full-blown brawl, you know, right there at the police headquarters. And so that normalization of violence is kind of what got me thinking about this. Then, when I got back from my deployment, I had a chance to do some more focused research. And it turns out that the civil-war literature tend...

In this week's Reagan Forum podcast we go back to March 7, 2022 for our in-person event with United States Senator Tom Cotton, who was the Foundation's sixth speaker in its Time for Choosing Speaker Series, a new forum for leading voices in the conservative movement. Tom Cotton is the United States Senator from Arkansas. He previously served as a lawyer, leaving law because of the September 11th attacks on our country and joining the military. He served nearly five years on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer. Senator Cotton served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between his two combat tours, he served with The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tom Cotton is a United States Senator from Arkansas. Tom's committees include the Judiciary Committee, where he serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, the Intelligence Committee, and the Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the Ranking Member of the Air Land Power Subcommittee.Tom grew up on his family's cattle farm in Yell County. He graduated from Dardanelle High School, Harvard, and Harvard Law School. After a clerkship with the U.S. Court of Appeals and private law practice, Tom left the law because of the September 11th attacks. Tom served nearly five years on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer.Tom served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between his two combat tours, Tom served with The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Tom's military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Ranger Tab.Between the Army and the Senate, Tom worked for McKinsey & Co. and served one term in the House of Representatives.Tom and his wife Anna have two sons, Gabriel and Daniel.

An Afghan interpreter who worked for the New Zealand Defence Force in Bamyan Province says he and 36 of his colleagues, who were promised a seat on an evacuation flight, now feel hopeless after the government pulled its troops over security risks. More than 500 people in Afghanistan eligible to c An Afghan interpreter who worked for the New Zealand Defence Force in Bamyan Province says he and 36 of his colleagues, who were promised a seat on an evacuation flight, now feel hopeless after the government pulled its troops over security risks. More than 500 people in Afghanistan eligible to come to New Zealand have been left to their own fate after a bombing at Kabul Airport put an end to further New Zealand Defence Force evacuation flights. Basir Ahmad who worked for the Provincial Reconstruction Team is among those stuck. He'd been liaising with the government and had secured visas for himself and 36 of his workmates - but none of them made it. He spoke to reporter Emma Hatton. The government has said it's not giving up on helping those stranded in Afghanistan, but Ahmad says he has no idea what the plan is, or if it will come soon enough. ome to New Zealand have been left to their own fate after a bombing at Kabul Airport put an end to further New Zealand Defence Force evacuation flights. Basir Ahmad who worked for the Provincial Reconstruction Team is among those stuck. He'd been liaising with the government and had secured visas for himself and 36 of his workmates - but none of them made it. He spoke to reporter Emma Hatton. The government has said it's not giving up on helping those stranded in Afghanistan, but Ahmad says he has no idea what the plan is, or if it will come soon enough.

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas joins today to discuss Afghanistan. Senator Cotton served nearly five years on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer. Tom served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between his two combat tours, Tom served with The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Tom's military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Ranger Tab. He joined the military following the attacks on 9-11.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

An interpreter who worked for the New Zealand Defence Force in Afghanistan says time to escape is running out, as the Taliban go door-to-door looking for those who worked with the New Zealand government. Basir Ahmad is in hiding in Kabul. He and 34 others from the Provincial Reconstruction Team have been promised a flight out but he told reporter Emma Hatton they are becoming increasingly anxious not knowing how that will actually happen.

Our guest is Major Natassia Cherne, Natassia is part of the Minot Air Force Base leadership, serving as the Chief of Public Affairs for two wings, the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing.Natassia has a variety of Public Relations experience. She has completed three deployments, one to Afghanistan on a Provincial Reconstruction Team, another as the Media Relations Officer for the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Weapons System in Qatar. She also had the opportunity to be Combat Camera Planner at the CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida. She also completed a three-year tour in Okinawa, Japan, as the Deputy Chief of Public Affairs.Today's topics include: The importance of the nonprofit sector engaging nontraditional people in leadership roles. The Honorary Commander Program and the benefits from more membership diversity. First Time Board Membership

Hosted by Ambassador (ret) Deborah McCarthy, this conversation with General Hickman and Ambassador Bennett gives an inside view of the challenging work of the U.S. civilian-military teams operating in Iraq to rebuild the country.

Arlington National Cemetery is the most sacred shrine in America. Its hallowed grounds contain presidents, privates, and some of the most famous names in military and political history—Supreme Court justices, five-star generals, and Medal of Honor recipients—as well as liberated slaves, and, at the fabled Tomb of the Unknown, the bodies of soldiers known only to God. Sacred Duty, is not only an intimate and inspiring portrait of Arlington National Cemetery’s Old Guard (the official ceremonial unit of the U.S. Army and America’s oldest infantry unit, dating to 1784), but also a personal chronicle of Senator Cotton’s time as a platoon leader in the unit.   In writing and researching the book, Senator Cotton has spent the past year closely shadowing the unit’s soldiers, original reporting that forms the spine of the book. Tom Cotton is a United States  Senator  from  Arkansas. He served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and   in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between combat tours, he served with the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”) at Arlington National Cemetery. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He served one term in the House of Representatives before election to the Senate.

Welcome to episode two of Women of the Military Podcast. In today’s episode your host Amanda Huffman will tell you about her military experience, challenges and more. Amanda served in the military for six years as an Air Force Civil Engineer. Her first assignment was to Holloman AFB in Alamogordo, NM. There she was assigned to the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron. She worked in both the Environmental Flight and the Engineering Flight. She deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team. She ended her career at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio working at Air Force Material Command doing Energy Management. Amanda was married to her husband the whole time she served on active duty. They met in college while they were both working to gain their commission into the Air Force. They have been married for 12 years. Amanda left the military when their first son was born after experiencing a deployment and dealing with the various challenges mil to mil life brings. Amanda military experience changed her life and she was able to learn so much about herself through the different military experiences. Now she works as a blogger and podcaster to share the stories of other women who have served or currently serve in the Air Force. Mentioned in this episode: www.airmantomom.com 31 Day Deployment Series Women of the Military Sign Up Form Want to stay connected with Women of the Military, check out our Facebook Group. You can also follow Amanda through Airman to Mom on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Considering joining the military? Check out my free guide to joining the military. Find answers to questions you have and ones you don’t even know to ask. This guide will give you a firm starting point as you begin your military career. Click here. Would you like to be a guest or know someone who might want to share their story for the Women of the Military Podcast? You can sign up here and I will be in touch with you shortly. Are you considering joining the military? Check out my free guide: A Girl's Guide to Military Life WILCO LIFE is an online boutique offering minimalist-style bags and accessories that meet military regulations. The company also carries products from veteran-owned companies that can be worn “off duty.” Use the code AIRMAN2MOM to save 15% on your purchase. Order here!

Nobody makes it through life without allies; whether it's business or politics, everybody needs them. On this episode of AmCham's How Business Really Works podcast host Duff Watkins discusses the US Australian alliance and what its going to be like for the next 75 years with guest Consul General, Valerie Fowler. Valerie Crites Fowler is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Minister Counselor. From 2012-2015, she served in the Bureau of Public Affairs as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Acting Assistant Secretary of State. Prior to her arrival in Sydney in September 2016, Valerie served as Senior Advisor to the Director General of the Foreign Service. From 2009-2012, Ms. Fowler served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, overseeing U.S. bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and Maldives. In 2008-2009, Ms. Fowler served as Director of the Provincial Reconstruction Team and Sub-National Governance Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, leading the U.S. civilian presence across the country. From 1989 to 2008, Ms. Fowler served in a number of positions specializing in public diplomacy and public affairs, including overseas assignments in Singapore, Pretoria, Thessaloniki, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Her assignments in Washington include three years in the State Department Operations Center, including as Director of Crisis Management Support from 2002-2004. She is a graduate of Stanford University and a distinguished graduate of the National War College. Her awards include the U.S. Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award (2009) and multiple State Department Superior Honor awards. Consul General Fowler is accompanied at post by her husband, CAPT Charles W. Fowler III, U.S. Navy (Ret). On this episode you will hear how it's a rapidly changing world so of course the US Australian alliance is changing but from what to what? Listen in to discover why the alliance is more important now than it has ever been. Thank you for your continued support of this podcast. We are constantly looking for ways to improve, so please let us know how we can do that for you. What topics are you interested in hearing about? What businesses do you think we should showcase? Let us know by sending an email to podcast@amcham.com.au  

“Ultimately when you are overseas you are dealing with people, and you’re trying to figure out what is it that lets them become human to you and what is it about you that allows you to become human to them.” Former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter sits down with Zach and Shiv to discuss track-two diplomacy, cultural immersion, and his thoughts on success. Biography: Cameron Munter is President and CEO of the EastWest Institute (EWI) in New York. Ambassador Munter served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for nearly three decades in some of the most conflict-ridden areas of the globe. He was Ambassador to Pakistan (2010-2012) guiding U.S.-Pakistani relations through a period of crisis, including the operation against Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad. He was Ambassador to Serbia (2007-2009), where he negotiated Serbia domestic consensus for European integration while managing the Kosovo independence crisis. He served twice in Iraq, leading the first Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mosul in 2006 and then handling political-military affairs in Baghdad in 2009-2010. Munter graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University in 1976 and earned a doctoral degree in modern European history from the Johns Hopkins University in 1983. He was a Rusk Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy in 1991. He also taught at Pomona College from 2013-2015. Quotes Preview: “Inflection points are not always sharp breaks that you recognize. There’s a trend you realize I’ve done something well enough for long enough and yet if I’m going to do the next step of what I’ve got to do I have got to realize that’s not enough.” (3:23) “What can i do to where I can continue to learn and to adjust and to find different ways of thinking? And I was drawn towards diplomacy. Instead of being a break from academia, it was for me the only way I could continue to be intellectually curious in the way that I had been before.” (5:24) : “People in Europe, who I knew, who were cultural snobs, will say: “McDonalds, you get the same thing every time. How gross.” Poorer people in Europe, especially minorities in Europe, have always told me “What I love about McDonalds is that it’s not snobby. They treat me as Nigerian the same way they treat you as American. And that’s what I love about America. OK, now you see this, you see how food plays this incredible role in understanding people's sense of self-worth or humiliation or motivation in politics. And I’m using food or drink as an example, but there’s any number of things you can look at.” (9:44) “There’s a new style with Trump, but I think the changes in diplomacy are much bigger than just the changes in administration.” (12:54) “People become very enamored with the idea of getting to a certain place at a certain time--promotions in a military sense, moving ahead. And yet, I know this sounds very Californian, but I’m allowed as a native Claremont-er, I’m allowed to say you have to make that decision yourself what you want success to be. Look hard inside yourself. What do you like to do? What are you good at? What makes you happy? When you do that, you are much more likely to be successful.” (23:22)

It’s been five years since Poland first sent troops to Ghazni. Here the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade take over from the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade in the same week as the Polish side of the joint Provincial Reconstruction Team closes. Apart from improving combat capability and instilling confidence in the Afghan National Security Forces, Polish-funded projects have also developed areas of the province.

Afghan boys learn the basics of plumbing, carpentry, masonry and painting at the Trade Training school in Tarin Kowt, capital of Uruzgan province in central Aghanistan. The school is backed by the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Uruzgan and run by the Australian Defense Force.

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. In this video, Professor Rose discusses the social and cultural significance of contemporary Afghan rugs. "Battleground: War Rugs from Afghanistan" exhibition will run at the Penn Museum from April 5th through June 31st, 2011. Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. Professor Rose discusses the presence that the Taliban continues to maintain today in Afghanistan. Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. Recorded here are his thoughts and experiences with women and education in Afghanistan. Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. Here, Professor Rose introduces us to the town of Ghazni. Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. Here, Professor Rose addresses the topic of Nationalism. What role does nationalism play in a society? What are the fundamental building blocks of nationalism? How can a sense of nationalism be restored to Afghanistan? Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. Professor Rose talks about his April 2011 trip to Afghanistan, the National Museum in Kabul, and the National Museum's Mes Aynek exhibit. Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Professor C. Brian Rose, University of Pennsylvania Museum Deputy Director and Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies, was invited by the United Nations to Afghanistan to consult on the state of cultural heritage. He toured in the war-torn areas of Kabul and Ghazni where he visited a school for girls, a project of The Provincial Reconstruction Team. Here he shares his thoughts on Cultural Heritage Protection Read more from Professor Brian Rose at http://www.penn.museum/​blog/​author/​brianrose/

Due to a strong Taliban presence in Uruzgan, Afghanistan, some missions of the Provincial Reconstruction Team have been put on hold. Lance Cpl. Nick Neighbors shows us one project the Australian and U.S. service members are revisiting. Includes sound bites from Australian Capt. Ryan Orders, Senior Project Engineer, Uruzgan Provincial Reconstruction Team, Darwin, Australia, Also available in High Definition.