Episode
Charlie Wilson's Blowback—Afghanistan and the Creation of al-Qaeda
- Published
- Mar 27, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2456
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Summary
This episode traces the direct line from American covert action in Afghanistan to the September 11 attacks—the paradigm case of blowback. We examine the largest CIA operation since Vietnam: how Charlie Wilson and Gust Avrakotos built a billion-dollar program to arm the mujahideen, how Pakistan directed aid to extremists, how the Arab Afghans including Osama bin Laden built networks that would become al-Qaeda, how American abandonment created the vacuum that the Taliban filled, and how the sanctuary they provided enabled the attacks that transformed American society. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffkellick.substack.com