By Joe Plenzler, Meidas Defense
Episode Overview
When American forces deploy to conflict zones around the globe, they rely heavily on local national partners—interpreters, fixers, and local informants—to navigate complex cultural, linguistic, and operational landscapes. These local partners form critical “soft networks” that save American lives, yet they are increasingly targeted by adversaries and left vulnerable by shifting geopolitical policies.
In this episode of Meidas Defense, host Joe Plenzler sits down with retired U.S. Army Colonel Steve Miska. Drawing from his experiences during the height of the Iraq War in 2006–2007, Steve recounts how he and his team established the “Baghdad Underground Railroad”—an effort to help targeted Iraqi allies navigate a maze of military and State Department bureaucracy to secure Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and safely resettle in the United States.
Joe and Steve discuss the critical national security importance of honoring obligations to local allies, the moral injury veterans face when foreign partners are betrayed, and the current challenges surrounding refugee resettlement, ICE deportations, and foreign policy shifts. Steve also shares insights from his “2026 Horse Farm Sabbatical,” exploring how wrangling horses and writing on Substack offer lessons in leadership, presence, and healing away from the toxicity of Washington, D.C.
Key Takeaways
The Concept of “Soft Networks”: Local partners (interpreters, local contractors, fixers) are vital for military operational success, but they serve as prime targets for insurgent and militia groups once American troops leave.
The Baghdad Underground Railroad: Originating during the peak of sectarian violence in Iraq (2006–2007), Colonel Miska’s initiative bypassed bureaucratic roadblocks to help approximately three dozen Iraqi interpreters and their families safely escape.
National Security Implications: Betraying local allies ruins trust, compromises future military operations, and degrades foreign intelligence gathering worldwide.
Veterans and Moral Injury: Serving under the ethos “leave no one behind” creates severe moral injury when service members watch their former local partners get abandoned or deported by U.S. policies.
Mobilization of Nonprofits: Veteran-led initiatives and advocacy groups like Miri’s List, No One Left Behind, IRAP, and Afghan Evac highlight how civilian grassroots action steps up when official policy channels fail.
Leadership and Presence: Leadership requires cutting through unnecessary hierarchy to deliver results, while Steve’s horse farm sabbatical demonstrates the value of grounding oneself in presence and active empathy.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction & Steve’s 2026 Horse Farm Sabbatical in Michigan
02:02 – Release of The Baghdad Underground Railroad Audio Book
03:44 – Why local allies (”soft networks”) are crucial to national security
08:34 – The reality of Baghdad in 2006–2007 during the peak of sectarian violence
10:06 – Journalist George Packer’s article Betrayed and the origins of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) system
12:06 – The Catch-22 bureaucratic maze: Baghdad to Amman, Jordan
16:16 – Story Spotlight: “Ronnie,” his lost paperwork, and his eventual journey to the U.S.
20:20 – How the “Baghdad Underground Railroad” architecture was built
23:36 – Resettlement in America: Generous host families and organizations like Miri’s List
25:31 – The August 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, Evacuate Our Allies, and setting up a grassroots Operations Center
33:28 – Structural flaws in current U.S. immigration policy and ICE deportations of former allies
44:30 – Foreign policy missteps, erosion of international trust, and lessons from Fulbright’s The Arrogance of Power
55:13 – Actionable advice: How listeners can support foreign allies and lobby local representatives
58:35 – Where to find Steve’s work, Substack, and contact info
Featured Guest & Host Information
Steve Miska (COL, USA Ret.): Author of The Baghdad Underground Railroad: Saving American Allies in Iraq, national security consultant, and leadership writer. Currently traveling across the country on a horse farm sabbatical.
Substack: @WranglingandWriting (Substack)
LinkedIn: Steve Miska
Book: Baghdad Underground Railroad (Available on major online platforms, Amazon, and upcoming on Audible/Spotify/Apple Books)
Joe Plenzler: Marine Corps combat veteran, podcast host, and Editor-in-Chief Meidas Defense
Substack: Joe Plenzler @JoePlenzler
Mentioned Resources & Organizations
Books & Articles:
Baghdad Underground Railroad: Saving American Allies in Iraq by Steve Miska
Betrayed (Article by George Packer, The New Yorker, 2007)
The Arrogance of Power by J. William Fulbright
Support & Advocacy Organizations:
Miry’s List: Grassroots organization funding soft-skills integration and resettlement support for refugee families.
No One Left Behind: Dedicated to ensuring that former interpreters and allies who served alongside U.S. troops are resetted safely.
International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP): Provides legal assistance to refugees and displaced persons globally.
Afghan Evac & Evacuate Our Allies: Coalitions formed by veterans and organizations to evacuate vulnerable Afghan partners following the 2021 withdrawal.
Chamberlain Network / Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Veteran advocacy groups active in policymaking for foreign partners.
Call to Action
Contact Your Representatives: Congress is in recess and members are in their home districts. Call your local congressional office to demand protections and streamlined visa processing for allies who served alongside U.S. military forces.
Support Resettlement Organizations: Donate, volunteer, or host through organizations like Miri’s List, No One Left Behind, or IRAP.
Engage Locally: Support local civic duty by registering to vote or volunteering as a local poll worker/election official.
