339. Navigating Ethics in Afghan Journalism with Saad Mohseni (Part 2)

The Greg McKeown Podcast

Saad Mohseni, the visionary co-founder and executive officer of Moby Group, shares his remarkable journey from London to Kabul in our latest episode. Born to Afghan parents and having traversed the globe, Saad found himself in the heart of Afghanistan in 2002, where his modest radio station blossomed into the nation's largest media company. Despite the Taliban's return in 2021 and the ensuing restrictive environment, Moby Group perseveres. Saad's story is not just one of business success but of relentless resilience and the fight to uphold an independent media voice in one of the world's most challenging regions.

Episode Summary:

Greg continues his conversation with Saad Mohseni, co-founder and chairman of Moby Group, Afghanistan's largest media company. They explore the complex political and social landscapes of Afghanistan, getting into the implications of the 2021 US withdrawal and the aftermath of the Taliban's return to power. Mohseni, a seasoned media professional and author of "Radio Free: A 20-Year Odyssey for an Independent Voice in Kabul," shares invaluable insights into the nuances of working within Afghanistan's challenging media environment and the broader geopolitical consequences of recent events.

They also examine themes of misjudgments and misunderstandings by US policymakers, the importance of multilateral talks, and the need for pragmatic, long-term strategies over short-term warfare. Greg and Saad discuss the perilous impacts of disengagement and the crucial necessity for ongoing communication and thoughtful engagement even with seemingly adversarial parties. They reflect on the broader implications of these issues, not just for Afghanistan but for global stability, emphasizing that interconnected systems and regional stability require continuous, nuanced dialogue.

Key Takeaways:

• Impact and Challenges of the US Withdrawal: Saad outlines the flawed decision-making and lack of strategic planning in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, emphasizing the adverse repercussions on Afghan society and regional stability.
• Listening and Engagement: Both Greg and Saad highlight the importance of "listening competence" and ongoing engagement with all parties, including the Taliban, as essential for fostering stability and progress.
• Pragmatism Over Idealism: The discussion underscores the necessity for pragmatic approaches over idealistic ones in dealing with complex geopolitical issues, suggesting gradual and internally evolved solutions.
• Interconnected Systems: The critical global interdependencies are discussed, stressing that Afghan instability has far-reaching implications, from refugee crises to global terrorism and drug trafficking.
• Leadership and Vision: Saad stresses the need for strong leadership and vision in addressing the Afghan issue, urging policymakers to look beyond short-term setbacks and consider long-term solutions.

Notable Quotes:

• "Failure to grasp or understand a situation then leads you to stop caring because you know that you're not impactful.” - Saad Mohseni
• "It was 20 wars, one year at a time, rather than taking a step back and thinking long-term." - Saad Mohseni
• "We are part of the same system; our actions impact each other much more than we often realize." - Greg McKeown

Resources:

• Saad on X
• Moby Group's Website

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