Login
iscover
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) diplomat and folk singer Fred Smith joins host Liam Garman to reflect on Australia’s 20-year commitment to Afghanistan and last year’s humanitarian mission at Kabul International Airport.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
- The pair begin the podcast discussing Smith’s background, and how he came to use music as a tool to bring communities together as a diplomat in DFAT.
- The podcast continues by reflecting on Smith’s time as the first Australian civilian to be posted to Uruzgan province in Afghanistan, and his subsequent Dust of Uruzgan album which tells the story of Australian service in the region.
- Smith also talks about his current cross-country tour “Sparrows of Kabul”, honouring the first anniversary of the fall of Kabul and Australia’s commitment to Afghanistan.
- The pair then discuss his upcoming Townsville show along with the 1RAR band, commemorating the Battalion’s commitment to Afghanistan over the last 20 years.
To read more about Smith’s tour, click here.
Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:
Episode 510: CONTESTED GROUND: Iran’s collapsing sphere of influence
Episode 509: DEFENCE PROPERTY PODCAST: Understanding the ever-changing landscape of regional property investment
Episode 508: PODCAST: A proud history of providing debate and connecting sailors, with Mark Schweikert, federal president, Navy League of Australia
Episode 507: SPOTLIGHT: GWEO – protecting Australian sovereignty, with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s James Heading
Episode 506: CONTESTED GROUND: Ukraine’s freedom of manoeuvre in the information domain
Episode 505: SPOTLIGHT: AUKUS Pillar II – how technology sharing is strengthening our national security, with FAS Stephen Moore and Dr Nigel McGinty
Episode 504: PODCAST: Unleashing Australian know-how to grow military power fast, with John Storey, Institute of Public Affairs
Episode 503: CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of national security and Australia’s declining economic performance
Episode 502: SPOTLIGHT: Developing risk frameworks for Defence, with Atturra’s Andrew Balmaks
Episode 501: CONTESTED GROUND: Maritime competition drives need for an Australian Coast Guard, with Jennifer Parker
