8: From Kabul to America: One Man’s Journey Through the Soviet-Afghan War

About this episode

Mr. Khalid shares his powerful story of growing up in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion and his journey to America.

In this episode of The Soviet Life , host Kate Saba speaks with Mr. Khalid , who shares his powerful story of growing up in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion. Together, they explore the human side of the Soviet-Afghan War—its devastating toll on Afghan society, the ripple effects felt around the world, and the enduring resilience of those who lived through it. From the innocence of childhood before the war to the daily fear that followed, Khalid recounts his dangerous escape from Afghanistan, his time as a refugee in Pakistan, and his eventual resettlement in the United States. Their conversation also looks at Afghanistan today, balancing sorrow for ongoing struggles with hope for a better future and a reminder of our shared humanity. Key Takeaways The Soviet-Afghan War reshaped global politics and left deep scars on Afghanistan. Millions of Afghans were killed or displaced during the conflict. The war is often seen as the USSR’s “Vietnam.” Childhood in Afghanistan was peaceful before the invasion. After the invasion, fear and oppression defined everyday life. Escaping Afghanistan meant facing danger at every step. Life as a refugee in Pakistan brought hardship but also…

People in this episode

Host: Kate Saba

Guest: Mr. Khalid

Topics covered

• Soviet-Afghan War
• refugee experience
• Afghan society
• human resilience
• global politics
• childhood in war

Keywords

• Soviet invasion
• Afghanistan
• refugee
• resilience
• global impact
• childhood
• escape
• Pakistan
• United States

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: USSR

Places: Afghanistan, Pakistan, United States

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