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Kander On Afghanistan Withdrawal | Food Critics: Great Italian Eats

A closeup of Jason Kander with a black T-shirt standing next to a grey wall with a slight smile on his face.
Luke X. Martin
/
KCUR
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.

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.

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.
As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.
As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.
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.