Radio War Nerd EP #124 — Interview With A YPG Combat Medic Volunteer (Part 2)
Guest: Patrick Kasprik
Recorded March 4, 2018
PORTUGAL—This episode, the War Nerd & Ames being with a look at war news: Turkey attacks pro-Assad forces in Afrin . . . East Ghouta propaganda is the new East Aleppo (and the western outrage corner is still oddly unconcerned about the Yemen famine-slaughter) & grim choices for local residents . . . On a few subscribers' comments about RWN EP 123 guest Patrick Kasprik. . .
At 51:30: We're joined by Patrick Kasprik (EP #123) to continue talking about his experiences in the YPG combat medical unit in 2016. This episode, we begin where we left off: the close of the Battle for Manbij in summer 2016. After that, Patrick crossed into Iraq into the Yazidi region, as he attempted to get to the Mosul front. But instead, he got arrested by Barzani's Iraq Kurdish forces. Kasprik talks about life in the northern Iraqi prison, and the grim welcome he received upon returning to the US . . .
This is Part 2 of our two-part interview with Patrick. In Part 1 (EP 123) Patrick told us about how he first joined the YPG in early 2016, moved to Rojava, and served in a series of battles culminating in the Battle for Manbij.
See Patrick and his team in the excellent 2-part documentary film "The Volunteers" on DirectTV.
Total time: 2:58:52
Comments (38)
Sadly it turns out Patrick was a fascist. https://i.imgur.com/d9B24gc.png
Spectacular. The people who wish RWN did some kinda disclaimer about Patrick’s political views are pathetic.
Two of my favorite episodes of RWN of all time. Hats off to Patrick.
I'm kinda disappointed now that none of the guest's detractors pointed out that he's such a CIA operative and Nazi that even his names are mostly composed of "trick" and "prik".
The USA invasion of Syria is a bad thing <a href="https://gowans.wordpress.com/2018/03/11/the-largely-unrecognized-us-occupation-of-syria/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://gowans.wordpress.com/2018/03/11/the-largely-unrecognized-us-occupation-of-syria/</a>
On Portugal, Angola would make an interesting episode
Great episodes; well done for splitting into two. All RWN features on Syria have been very insightful. Keep up the great work.
Patrick was awesome, such a great story and generosity of spirit!
Ha! I knew the last interview would bring the ideological puritans out to complain. I don't subscribe to RWN to stay in the echo chamber - more diverse, interesting and first hand accounts like Patrick please. Great couple of interviews.
Patrick's comment about cigarettes and beards being a signifier of masculinity there reminded me of that Vice agitprop article at the beginning of the war that was lambasted in a previous RWN episode... "The jihadists—devout, clean-living martyrs—have come to be known among the opposition for their fierce and uncompromising fighting style. They make the secular, four-pack-a-day-smoking FSA look ragtag by comparison...for the moment, the FSA and its allies need these mysterious, vaguely threatening bearded men who aren’t scared to sleep on the front lines and are absolutely unafraid to die for the cause." <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7beqvd/the-vice-guide-to-syria-0000456-v19n11" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7beqvd/the-vice-guide-to-syria-0000456-v19n11</a>
Just finished the second part, really great interview. I am not sure if I could listen to another Afrin episode, it makes me too angry and upset right now...
I'm not surprised at the reaction because Pat is closer to the center compared to most YPG/J volunteers from the US (that aren't reactionaries looking to kill ISIS). A lot of subscribers (myself included) thought we'd get someone like PissPigGrandad/Brace Belden. Although I disagree with Patrick politically on his criticism of the left, but, he' seemed pretty cool with Rojava and at least somewhat accepting of them, which is fine by me. As far as I'm concerned, there are bigger concerns than one person the left has as far as building a movement in the USA and the YPG/J seemed happy to have another volunteer in their struggle
Some disappointing reactions from some RWN subscribers. The previous podcast was so good I actually spoke to friends about how great it was to hear people with different politics able to respect each other’s knowledge and experience.
I had a friend who just came back from Rojava named Bill Z, tho I don’t know if he went there under that name.
Patrick I am sorry for having been so muddled and crude. None of those comments were directed at you. I found the initial interview to have been interesting. And yes I thought with others that a little push back from the interviewers would have been appropriate but it was merely a quibble. I thought the second interview was fine until the red baiting, felt cold warish and caught me way off guard. I really do enjoy the radio war nerd project.
Sooooo how do I get that documentary? direct tv won't even let me make an account from where I am (Switzerland).
I'm going to talk to a friend of mine that has Direct TV. I'll comment on here if I manage to get a recording of it.
call me
jebus
ill back it all up
more i listen more full of shit
Which part, exactly?
fuck i listen to you guys you were sanity, but then absolved yourselves, and as all the dogs of war know you talk shit. and all hold you 2 2 it. dude i got drummed out im sorry you did too. but you cant make up for it. bad form
Speaking as an ardent communist the notion that you wouldn't interview someone because they arent a party member or have a different ideological bent is wildly embarassing and tedious. Seriously, you can be a critical and analytical interviewer/listener without being a pedant. Patrick's interviews are super interesting and worth doing. Thanks!
This was great. Thanks for telling your story, patrick
Hand down my favourite war nerd interview so far. Totally fascinating and impressive, and like John said a great story teller. Hope to hear more and happy with the response to the comment unpleasantness.
Patrick. Was there any pain remedies available ? Was there heroin kicking around ? It would be mighty handy for taking the edge off. Did any of the fighters use speed ?
Per drug use among fighter, no. Maybe tramadol.
Global Crisis by Geoffrey Parker has some good stuff about difficulties in Spain and Portugal in the 1600s
Sanjay Subrahmanyam's books on the Portuguese Empire are very good
Great show guys. Really enjoyed it. All the best to Patrick.
Hey War Nerd your policy of interviewing people based on experience and knowledge is correct. Thank you! Would be extremely interesting if you could get hold of a true neocon and pick her brains.
Don't ever let us comment section plebs dictate to you how and to who you get to talk. This show is great because of the interessting people you guys interview and which we would never find on our own.
I think the chatter about the comments was a great addition to the show. But yeah, we don't want any dictat coming of it.
Really hope you guys make this a series and interview other YPG volunteers. Baz, Brace Belden and Joanna Palani (@joannajoliepalani on Instagram) would be fantastic and no one else could do a better job then you guys.
Brace never actually fought. Though yes, I clearly give a nod for Baz (or River), Joanna would offer equally unique insight.
Anybody looking to watch the documentary, you can sign up to for a free trial of the Direct TV NOW and immediately cancel it after then still have a week to watch it on your Roku/Apple TV/whatever.
Is this available to people outside the US? I keep getting an error when I try to sign up for the trial