September 9, 2021

In the aftermath of 9/11, President George W. Bush embarked upon what quickly became known as the war on terror. What did this actually entail -- and what are its consequences today? Spencer Ackerman, a longtime national security reporter, speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about his new book, "Reign of Terror."

Sandra Cisneros is best known for her acclaimed novel "The House on Mango Street." Her new novella, "Martita, I Remember You," tells a story of a struggling young writer in Paris, with many details closely resembling the author’s own life. She joins the show from Mexico.

The Taliban’s return to power coincides with the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. For many Americans, it was the first time they learned of the group and their role as hosts to Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. A new series from National Geographic gives voice to the people who survived the attack on the World Trade Center, and its director joins the show to discuss his portrait of that day.

What can life be like for the women of the Afghan countryside, who have suffered through decades of civil war and foreign occupation? New Yorker contributor Anand Gopal embedded himself among the people in places rarely covered by Western media. The result is his in-depth article “The Other Afghan Women”. He joins the show to discuss.