Kander On Afghanistan Withdrawal | Food Critics: Great Italian Eats

By Steve Kraske,

Zach Wilson, Mackenzie Martin, Danie Alexander

Published May 7, 2021 at 6:31 PM CDT

A closeup of Jason Kander with a black T-shirt standing next to a grey wall with a slight smile on his face. — Jason Kander was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army while serving a tour in the war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan veteran Jason Kander's reactions to the ending of America's longest war and the Food Critics take us on a culinary tour of Italian eateries in the metro.

Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: Jason Kander on hearing the news that all U.S. troops will be pulled out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, "My first reaction was not an intellectual one, it was an emotional one. It just sort of took my breath away."

After earning his law degree, but before being elected as Missouri Secretary of State, Jason Kander served as a military intelligence officer in Afghanistan. Since hearing the news of the troop withdrawal, Kander has felt relief, guilt and worry over a decision he understands to be right and for which he has advocated.

Jason Kander, president, Veterans Community Project

Segment 2, beginning at 32:49: The Kansas City area has a richer tradition of Italian food than many realize.

Although Italy is known for regional and seasonal dishes where pasta is but a single course, American-Italian dishes include favorites like spaghetti and and meatballs, lasagna and grinders. Whichever may be your preference, the Food Critics offer recommendations for both.

Mary Bloch, blogger, Around the Block
Carlton Logan, Kansas City Eats

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Whether it’s something happening right now or something that happened 100 years ago, some stories don’t fit in the short few minutes of a newscast. As a podcast producer and reporter at KCUR Studios, I help investigate questions and local curiosities in a way that brings listeners along for adventures with plot twists and thought-provoking ideas. Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer in the end – but my hope is that we all leave with a greater understanding of the city we live in. Reach me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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