The Spy Who The Spy Who

The Spy Who Rode with Warlords | Afghan Math | 2

Sep 22, 2026 · 37m

Summary

In this episode of The Spy Who, host Raza Jaffrey details the CIA's Team Alpha mission to liberate Mazar-i-Sharif from the Taliban. The narrative covers the chaotic entry into the city, the tense negotiations for Kunduz's surrender, and the subsequent betrayal where the Taliban handed over Al Qaeda fighters as a Trojan horse. The episode culminates in a violent uprising at the Kala-i-Jinji fortress, where CIA officer David Tyson survives a massacre while his colleague Mike Spann is killed, forcing Tyson to escape with a German news crew.

Topics discussed

Audible sponsorship and content warning Dostum's radio prank on the Taliban Pacific Life insurance advertisement Episode introduction and mission context White House situation room tensions Team Alpha's journey in the 'Magic Bus' Encounter with Mike Spann and Taliban retreat Dostum's rivalry with Atta and Seeger's strategy Triumphant entry into Mazar-i-Sharif Prize Picks and Freestyle Libre advertisements Negotiating the surrender of Kunduz Mike Spann's Thanksgiving call to his family Arrival of foreign fighters at Kalijangi Fort Interrogations and the first grenade attack Audible and American Scandal advertisements The Al-Qaeda uprising and Mike Spann's death Tyson's escape and call for help Seeger realizes the Trojan Horse ruse Credits and final Audible promotions
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