NL Interviews – Masood Khalili on Afghanistan

Masood Khalili was a friend and adviser to  Ahmad Shah Massoud , resistance commander known as the “Lion of Panjshir” against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979–1989), defence minister of Afghanistan (1992–2001) and leader of the United Front (Northern Alliance ) against the Taliban. Published this year by Sage, Khalili’s book, Whispers of War: An Afghan Freedom Fighter’s Account of the Soviet Invasion details his attempts to mobilise the population against the Soviets.

He speaks to Vivek Gopal about the book, his journey across Afghanistan, his time in Delhi as ambassador in 1996 and what the future holds.