Unreported World review – fear and bodybags in abandoned Afghanistan
Former soldier Abigail Austen returns to Afghanistan 15 months after the troops withdrew, honouring this programme’s reputation for rigorous and humane reporting
“When I left Kandahar, I thought we were winning.”
Abigail Austen joined Nato’s forces in 2011 and served alongside US and Afghan forces for four years in the Helmand and Kandahar provinces. She returned there – along with director Will West – for last night’s Unreported World (Channel 4), to see how the place has fared since British and American troops withdrew 15 months ago.
Not well, is the short answer, as you might have heard. But nothing ever compares to Unreported World, which is always rigorous, dynamic, dangerous, humane and a miracle of compression.
In 24 minutes, Austen interviewed medics, pilots, generals and ordinary people caught in the warzone, outlined the history of the conflict, laid out the current problems both chronic and acute and accompanied soldiers on three missions. Helicopters collected casualties and corpses, and those who – thanks to the dearth of medical supplies and other equipment that delayed the rescue mission – moved from one status to the other before they could reach hospital. There was also a gunship that tried to take out mountainside snipers and create a safe passage for others trying to beat back the enemy on the ground. Austen retraced her steps back to Camp Bastion, home to 20,000 troops last time she was there but now neatly dismantled by the departing soldiers.
Since they left, the Taliban has advanced relentlessly on Kandahar. “If the city falls,” says Austen, “the government cannot survive.”
“You came and built a new government but you left the job half done,” said one man who had come straight from battling hand to hand with the Taliban bent on taking over his village. “There is no standing back now … but without your help, what can we do? No artillery, no helicopters or tanks; our military is not well trained. What should I use – my scarf?”
“This country is on the cusp of defeat,” says Austen. “This year is going to decide Afghanistan’s future … Unless the American army joins the fight, the Afghan government cannot hold.”
As ever, a great report bearing terrible news.
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