Serial podcast is once more making headline news as it continues to report Bowe Bergdahl's alleged desertion and capture by the Taliban.
In the second episode of the season, host Sarah Koenig talks with members of the Taliban about Bergdahl and what happened in Afghanistan in 2009. According to the report Bergdahl was captured by nomads near his company's base at OP Mest. Then he blindfolded and moved constantly for several days.
"He (Bergdahl) came into our custody so easily in Afghanistan amongst all the provinces and districts. We were blessed," said Hilal, a Taliban soldier.
LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST here. (Warning, adult content)
The Taliban soldiers gave insight into their handling of Bergdahl. In the interview, Bergdahl was referred to as a guest, not a prisoner. Leadership protected him from other soldiers who would want to kill Bergdahl in revenge. One story describes an attempt to get Bergdahl to eat and drink.
"To boost his moral and cheer him up we stopped by a winery and we did this little traditional dance so he can start eating," said one Taliban soldier.
The podcast retells the search for Bergdahl from the perspective of U.S. soldiers. Several interviews talk about conflicting intelligence reports, general confusion, and a driving need to quickly find the missing soldier. Even in the early hours after Bergdahl's disappearance, though, there were some soldiers who believed Bergdahl deliberately walked off base.
"If we would have found him, I think a lot of us would have shot him if that tells you anything," said Darrel Hansen, a soldier on Bergdahl's platoon. "I truly say that with sincerity, that we had that much hate towards him."
The podcast ends with a tease to the next episode, promising to delve into Bergdahl's attempts to escape the Taliban. Episodes are released every Thursday at 6:00 a.m. EST.
