Up To Date

Kansas City Veteran Jason Kander Reacts To Afghanistan Withdrawal

By Steve Kraske,

Published May 7, 2021 at 6:34 PM CDT

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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.

"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 says he's 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

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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 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.

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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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