Afghan refugees: The exodus

Why are millions of Afghans pushed into circular migration, and what awaits them in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan? In this series, we explore one of the world’s largest and longest-running refugee crises - a story spanning decades and affecting nearly half of Afghanistan’s population. Once welcomed as guests and embraced in the spirit of Islamic solidarity in neighbouring Iran and Pakistan, Afghan refugees now find themselves facing restrictions, discrimination and deportation. In the first part, we go back to the geopolitics of the Cold War to see how the mix of Soviet tanks, American money and tribal warfare created the perfect conditions for a mass exodus.

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Contributors: Haroon Rahmani, Umaima Zia, Barry Sadid

Producer: Kriszta Satori, Barry Sadid

Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg

Music: Pete Cunningham