9/11 and the passing of time

The podcast explores the transformations of New York City's Ground Zero and Afghanistan following 9/11, examining themes of remembrance, rebuilding, and the passage of time. Josh Chaffin, FT's New York correspondent, recounts the initial unpopularity of the World Trade Center and the subsequent debates surrounding its reconstruction, highlighting developer Larry Silverstein's pivotal role. The discussion then shifts to Afghanistan, where Jon Boone, former Afghanistan correspondent, describes the country's rapid changes and the dashed hopes of a generation that grew up without Taliban rule, illustrated by the story of a yoga teacher now seeking to flee. Salma al-Akhozai, an Afghan refugee in Albania, shares her experiences and determination to advocate for Afghan women from abroad.