Afghanistan Papers, Russian Troll Strategy, Opioid Impacts

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Bush Cheney Rumsfeld Afghanistan
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, smiles as President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, right, applaud during Rumsfeld’s farewell ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

Newly discovered documents show U.S. officials misled the public about progress in the Afghanistan War. We talk with the reporter behind the story. We also hear why Russian internet trolls rely heavily on uplifting social media posts. Plus, a look at the impact of opioids on one graduating class.

Featured in this Show

  • 'The Afghanistan Papers' Show Senior US Officials Misled Public About Progress, Chances Of Success In War With Afghanistan

    We talk to the reporter behind the investigation into what are being called “The Afghanistan Papers,” thousands of previously secret documents showing senior U.S. officials misled, and in some cases lied to, the American public about progress in the war in Afghanistan.

  • Russian Internet Trolls Promote Positivity To Grow Their Following

    Russian internet “trolls” have worked for years to deepen the divisions in American society. Surprisingly, uplifting social media posts are key to their efforts. We talk with two researchers about how positivity figures into campaigns from Russia and other countries to promote instability.

  • How Opioids Changed The Lives Of An Entire Graduating Class

    In the midst of a national reckoning with prescription and illegal opioids, a reporter shares the story of a Midwestern high school’s class of 2000 – and how their lives and communities were changed by addiction.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Rachael Vasquez Producer
  • Dean Knetter Producer
  • Rob Ferrett Producer
  • Craig Whitlock Guest
  • Darren Linvill Guest
  • Patrick Warren Guest
  • Dan Levin Guest

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