In the early days of the American occupation, at the dawn of a new Afghanistan, investment banker Saad Mohseni made what seemed like an unrealistic decision to leave the comforts of a career in international banking to start a Kabul radio station with his three siblings.

This unlikely venture blossomed into a burgeoning television empire whose radio and television networks became a necessary beacon for millions of Afghans, who relied on them not just for independent news but for joys like Afghan Star, a beloved national singing competition in a country whose previous rulers had banned (and would again ban) music.

His story continues to unfold today in the Moby offices of Kabul where hundreds of men and women continue to bring programmes and news to the country.

Speakers:

Saad Mohseni is the chairman and chief executive officer of MOBY Group, He has been widely applauded for his role in advancing press freedom, empowering civil society and defending women’s rights. Saad has been recognised as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people and named among 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy Magazine. He has been recognised by the BBC as one of 10 men globally championing gender equality.

Rory Stewart is a Professor in the Practice of Grand Strategy at Yale University, a bestselling author and former Secretary of State. He ran against Boris Johnson for the leadership of the Conservatives in 2019 before leaving the Conservative Party. He is the co-host of the UK’s leading podcast The Rest Is Politics alongside Alastair Campbell.

Radio Free Afghanistan is the extraordinary memoir of a remarkable man […] more than any other book, it reveals the reasons for the failure of the western attempt to impose democracy in Afghanistan and gives an incredibly intimate portrait of the men who have shaped that tragic history.’ – William Dalrymple

Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event.