# Charlie Wilson's Blowback—Afghanistan and the Creation of al-Qaeda

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/consequential-actions-podcast-7101158/charlie-wilson-s-blowback-afghanistan-and-the-creation-of-al-qaeda
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/consequential-actions-podcast-7101158/charlie-wilson-s-blowback-afghanistan-and-the-creation-of-al-qaeda.md
Podcast: [Consequential Actions Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/consequential-actions-podcast-7101158)
Published: 2026-03-27T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://jeffkellick.substack.com/p/charlie-wilsons-blowbackafghanistan
Audio file: https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/192268058/37d2fffa1712475ad726bfca86c5bceb.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/consequential-actions-podcast-7101158/episodes/charlie-wilson-s-blowback-afghanistan-and-the-creation-of-al-qaeda
Duration seconds: 2456

## Resource

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

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## Transcript

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