I Was Kidnapped by the Taliban: Safi Rauf on Rescuing Afghan Allies

This week’s guest is Safi Rauf, an Afghan refugee who came to the U.S. as a teen and is now the president and founder of Human First Coalition. Also a veteran, he tells us about his work in Afghanistan helping to evacuate local interpreters who worked with American troops. He shares the astonishing story of how he was taken hostage—and eventually released—by the Taliban while working there. He also talks about the Afghan Adjustment Act and the obstacles he’s run into while advocating for it. Plus, writers Rob Christensen and Tocarra Mallard stop by for a little schadenfreude about Trump’s very bad midterms week. Update: Since the recording of this podcast, allegations of fraud and mistreatment have surfaced against Safi Rauf and his organization Human First Coalition. We are watching closely and will keep our audience posted on any developments related to these claims. Stream our newest episode, “Election Wrap-Up Special,” now on Apple TV+. Credits: Hosted by: Jon Stewart Featuring, in order of appearance: Tocarra Mallard, Rob Christensen, Safi Rauf Executive Produced by Jon Stewart, Brinda Adhikari, James Dixon, Chris McShane, and Richard Plepler. Lead Producer: Sophie Erickson Producers: Zach Goldbaum, Caity Gray Assoc. Producer: Andrea Betanzos Sound Engineer & Editor: Miguel Carrascal  Senior Digital Producer: Freddie Morgan  Digital Coordinator: Norma Hernandez  Supervising Producer: Lorrie Baranek  Head Writer: Kris Acimovic Elements: Kenneth Hull, Daniella Philipson Talent: Brittany Mehmedovic, Margorie McCurry, Lukas Thimm Research: Susan Helvenston, Andy Crystal, Cassie Murdoch, Farah Otero-Amad, Irene Plagianos Theme Music by: Gary Clark Jr. The Problem with Jon Stewart podcast is an Apple TV+ podcast, produced by Busboy Productions. https://apple.co/-JonStewart