Beyond the Frontline

Kabul Institute

Go beyond the headlines with Beyond the Frontline, the podcast that uncovers the untold stories, hard truths, and human experiences shaping today’s conflicts. Each episode dives deep into the realities on the ground, featuring exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, and expert analysis. From the people living these crises to the forces driving global events, we bring you the insights and context you won’t find in traditional media. Subscribe for full episodes, transcripts, and bonus content, and see the world beyond the frontlines. kabulinstitute.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Girls’ Education Under Taliban Rule: What You’re Missing

    16/09/2025

    Girls’ Education Under Taliban Rule: What You’re Missing

    We often hear the call: ‘Open schools for girls in Afghanistan.’ It sounds moral, noble, and urgent. But what if that very push is exactly what the Taliban want?" In this week’s episode of Beyond the Frontline, we dig deep into how Taliban-controlled education is not just about classrooms; it’s a political tool. They use it to gain legitimacy, reward symbolic concessions, and indoctrinate an entire generation of children. Every international call for access under Taliban rules risks giving them exactly what they need: recognition and control. Through human stories, statistics, and analysis, we reveal why pushing for education under these conditions does not protect Afghan children—it endangers their future. From empty classrooms to secret lessons in basements, Afghan women and men are resisting in ways the world rarely sees. Listen now to understand why real education cannot exist under oppression—and why the fight for freedom and knowledge goes far beyond headlines and photo ops. If you want to support our work, sign up to get the real story of Afghanistan and the world. Non-filtered. Connect with us: * X/Twitter: https://x.com/kabulinstitute * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kabulinstitute * Substack: https://substack.com/@kabulinstitute This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kabulinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    17 min
  2. Afghanistan: The Fall of a Nation

    02/09/2025

    Afghanistan: The Fall of a Nation

    Every nation has a story. For Afghans, the tragedy is that ours has almost always been told by someone else, soldiers, diplomats, journalists, politicians, foreigners, aid workers. Everyone but us. In this premiere episode of Beyond the Frontline, we take you behind the headlines to reclaim the Afghan story. From the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021, to the collapse of social order that followed, we explore the human experiences, the betrayals, and the truths often buried beneath foreign narratives and domestic corruption. This isn’t about pity or charity. It’s about understanding the reality of war, the consequences of power, and the resilience of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. You’ll hear firsthand insights from someone who lived the Afghan experience as a soldier, an analyst, and a witness to history. What you’ll get in this episode: * An unfiltered look at Afghanistan’s collapse in 2021 * Reflections on corruption, foreign interference, and the human cost of war * The voices and stories that never made it to headlines or policy discussions Why listen?Because Afghanistan is not unique, the forces that destroyed it exist elsewhere. This podcast connects the Afghan story to global struggles in governance, migration, and conflict. It’s about truth, memory, and connection. Bonus Content for Subscribers:Episodes 1–3 are free for all listeners. Episodes 4+ are exclusive to paid subscribers and include: * Full episodes * Transcripts * Behind-the-scenes insights Subscribe to join this conversation and see the world Beyond the Frontline. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kabulinstitute.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min

About

Go beyond the headlines with Beyond the Frontline, the podcast that uncovers the untold stories, hard truths, and human experiences shaping today’s conflicts. Each episode dives deep into the realities on the ground, featuring exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, and expert analysis. From the people living these crises to the forces driving global events, we bring you the insights and context you won’t find in traditional media. Subscribe for full episodes, transcripts, and bonus content, and see the world beyond the frontlines. kabulinstitute.substack.com