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Anand Gopal – No Good Men Among the Living

    Global Dispatches | 02 July 2015 | 0h 42m | Listen Later | Podcasts | Spotify

    Interview with Anand Gopal about his book No Good Men Among the Living. Offers a unique perspective on the US intervention in Afghanistan by profiling individuals, both civilian and Taliban, in Khas Uruzgan. Describes his unconventional approach, living remotely and learning the language, revealed complexities often missed by journalists. Highlights how US troop presence destabilised regions, enabling local warlords to exploit them against rivals, contributing to the Taliban’s resurgence. Exposes how many detainees at Guantanamo Bay were innocent victims of these dynamics. Recounts his journey from science to journalism, driven by a desire to understand the conflict beyond mainstream narratives.

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    Anand Gopal – Days of Love and Rage

      A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution

      The Book Club | 16 September 2026 | 0h 30m | Listen Later | Podcasts | Spotify

      Interview with Anand Gopal about his book Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution. Explores the Syrian Revolution, focusing on the city of Manbij. Details the protest movement’s transformation from a brutal Ba’athist dictatorship to a brief democratic experiment, its internal divisions, and the subsequent rise of ISIS. Discusses his immersive research methods, highlighting individual stories that reveal the nuanced complexities of freedom, democracy, and tyranny. Reflects on how reporting on the conflict compelled him to re-evaluate his understanding of these fundamental concepts.

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      Anand Gopal – Days of Love and Rage

        A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution

        Conflicted | 02 April 2026 | 1h 6m | Listen Later | Podcasts | Spotify

        Interview with Anand Gopal about his book Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution. Uses personal stories from the town of Manbij to challenge simplistic narratives about the Syrian Revolution. Demonstrates that core needs like bread, order, and justice often outweighed liberal aspirations when confronted by war and socio-economic divisions, paving the way for groups like ISIS. Explores the complex interplay of human experience and political change, examining what truly enables a successful political community beyond mere freedom.

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