The U.S. military has been at war in Afghanistan for more than 17 years.

“Combat Obscura,” a new documentary out today offers a rare behind-the-scenes look of that war, mixing combat footage with glimpses of the more mundane daily efforts by young American men and women to make sense of a complex culture and discern combatants from civilians.

The U.S. is finally trying to end the war in Afghanistan and is engaged in talks with the Taliban to do so, but watching this footage from 2011 makes you realize the U.S. probably should have done that a long time ago.

This week on Wake we’ll talk to director Miles Lagoze about his life, his new film and how little Americans know about what the U.S. military is up to overseas.

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Taped: March 13, 2019.

Hosted by Luke Vargas.