If we think about folk forms, they belong to disenfranchised people, people who have not been allowed access to the poetry of literature or the leisure time that comes with the pursuit of poetry. Instead, this is ceremony. This is a highly charged way to create a sacred space that isn't necessarily about God, but is about human experience at its most profound levels - whether that's love or grief, separation, or homeland. All are altered states.

I was surprised by the level of sophistication of the Special Operation forces. Among them were anthropologists and PhD candidates. I felt because I understand the patterns of nineteenth-century jihad in West Africa that I was definitely going to be more advanced than they were in comprehending what the militant rallying cry was.

It's important to understand that violent Islam is only one face of violent religion.

I think most good poetry is about suffering; I think that's what underlies the love in these landays pieces - suffering and longing.

The future of Afghanistan is incredibly dark, and decisions are happening incredibly quickly.

I can't imagine how Afghanistan's fall isn't going to be ten times faster than Iraq's.

Poetry is a popular genre in Afghanistan. If you turned on the radio, there would be a poetry program that would be as popular as The Real Housewives.