The Documentary Podcast - Afghan refugees: 1. The exodus

Download Afghan refugees: 1. 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.

Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk

Contributors: Haroon Rahmani, Umaima Zia, Barry Sadid
Producer: Kriszta Satori, Barry Sadid
Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg
Music: Pete Cunningham

Published on Sunday, 18th October 2026.

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