Introduction
In this moving episode of Kistan, I sat down with Sarah Flounders, a veteran anti-war activist, author, and co-director of the International Action Center. Known globally for her unwavering advocacy for justice and anti-imperialism, Sarah shared her powerful insights on the cases that continue to haunt global conscience—Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the Iraq War, and the ongoing crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in the West.

The Tragic Story of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui

Sarah began by shedding light on the painful and prolonged imprisonment of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a case that resonates deeply with many in Pakistan and beyond. Dr. Siddiqui, once a top student at MIT and a brilliant academic, has been incarcerated in the U.S. under what many call fabricated charges.

“She had absolutely no visitation rights for years… was held in solitary confinement… then allowed into general population where she was attacked. That was arranged, I really do think.”

Currently imprisoned in the infamous Carswell Federal Medical Center in Texas, Sarah described the conditions as “horrendous” and emphasized how this brilliant woman was effectively disappeared from public consciousness.

Lessons from the Iraq War and the Power of Protest

Our discussion moved into a critical reflection on the anti-war movement surrounding the 2003 Iraq invasion. Sarah pushed back on the notion that “nothing came out of it,” noting that the massive protests were a turning point.

“For the first time, the world saw a sharp break between the U.S. government and millions of working people who knew these wars weren’t in their interests.”

Though the war couldn’t be stopped, the mobilizations laid the groundwork for widespread skepticism of U.S. foreign policy. It also brought renewed attention to the human cost of sanctions, especially the deadly embargo on Iraq in the 1990s, which Sarah highlighted as having killed over half a million children.

War Abroad, Repression at Home

Sarah passionately explained how war abroad enables repression at home—especially for Muslims, immigrants, and dissenters.

“With every war comes a criminalization of a whole people… denial of legal citizenship, right of entry, and attacks on civil liberties.”

She shared how anti-war activists in the U.S. are now forced to confront militarized policing, surveillance, and campus censorship. Students supporting Palestine are especially targeted—facing bans, revoked scholarships, and even the loss of faculty positions for professors who speak out.

The Movement That Won’t Be Silenced

Despite intense repression, Sarah emphasized that the global justice movement is far from defeated. From Iraq to Palestine, people continue to resist—often under the most difficult circumstances.

“They don’t shut down the movement… it continues because people know the truth and they organize.”

Conclusion
This conversation with Sarah Flounders serves as a sobering reminder of the price of resistance—but also its necessity. From the silencing of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to the mass mobilizations against war and oppression, her insights challenge us to stay informed, stay vocal, and stay committed.

Watch the Full Episode
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Tags:
#aafiasiddiqui #SarahFlounders #IraqWar #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #USForeignPolicy #HumanRights #CarswellPrison #CampusCensorship #KistanPodcast #SocialJustice #Activism