#174 Joshua Mast - U.S. Marine's Message to President Donald Trump
In this episode of the Shawn Ryan Show, Joshua Mast recounts the harrowing story of how U.S. Rangers rescued an infant named Sparrow during a lethal raid on an Al-Qaeda compound. Despite heavy casualties, Mast and his wife felt morally compelled to ensure Sparrow's safety and fought legal battles to gain custody and secure proper medical care for her severe injuries.
Mast alleges interference from the U.S. State Department and Embassy, accusing them of attempting to hand Sparrow over to unverified Afghan claimants without DNA testing or vetting. He describes how the custody battle took an immense emotional and personal toll on his family, yet their conviction to protect Sparrow persisted, believing her survival held divine purpose.
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1-Page Summary
Rescue of Child During Deadly Al-Qaeda Raid
Nighttime Assault on Al-Qaeda Compound
In September 2019, Rangers conducted a high-stakes night raid to capture/kill key Al-Qaeda leaders in a training camp compound. They found an infant, "Sparrow," being used as a human shield by her terrorist father during the intense firefight. Despite heavy casualties, Rangers evacuated Sparrow, per Joshua Mast and Shawn Ryan.
Mast's Efforts to Secure Child's Safety
After her parents were killed, Joshua and Stephanie Mast felt morally obligated to ensure Sparrow's well-being. They navigated legal hurdles to obtain guardianship and arrange her medical visa and care for severe injuries, even covering costs. Joshua Mast used his expertise to have her legally categorized as stateless, enabling custody.
US Government Interference Alleged
Resistance From State Dept & Embassy
Mast alleges the US Embassy in Afghanistan misinformed to fast-track handing Sparrow to unverified Afghan claimants without vetting, covering up the need for DNA tests against policy directives prioritizing the child's interests.
Weaponizing Legal System Against Masts
Mast faced fluctuating permissions and obstructed evidence flow, suggesting classification misuse to undermine their custody case. He alleges collusion between government, mega law firms, and opposing counsel to block victories by controlling information.
Personal Toll on Mast Family
The custody battle took an immense emotional toll. Mast recounts Sparrow's distress from injuries and the looming threat of her handover to potentially dangerous individuals, straining his family and career. Yet their moral conviction and faith in protecting her persisted despite personal costs, believing her survival has divine purpose.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can volunteer with organizations that support children in conflict zones to make a direct impact on lives like Sparrow's. By offering your time or skills to non-profits, you can help provide care, education, and legal assistance to children affected by war. For example, you might assist with fundraising, spread awareness through social media, or help with administrative tasks remotely.
- Start a letter-writing campaign to advocate for policy changes that protect children in war-torn areas. Writing to your elected representatives can raise awareness about the importance of proper vetting and legal processes in cases similar to Sparrow's. You could organize a group of friends or community members to write letters, emphasizing the need for policies that prioritize the well-being of children in international conflicts.
- Educate yourself on the legal rights of stateless individuals and share this knowledge within your community. Understanding the complexities of statelessness can empower you to inform others and potentially support those in similar situations. You could create simple informational guides or host informal discussion groups to spread awareness about the challenges faced by stateless individuals and the importance of legal protection.
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Rescue of Child From Al-qaeda Compound and Injuries
Nighttime Raid Targeting Al-qaeda Terrorists
During a nighttime raid on September 5, 2019, Rangers conducted a highly coordinated attack on an Al-Qaeda training camp. Task forces were dispatched with the mission to capture or kill three named, high-value targets within the compound without allowing any leaders to escape. An alarming discovery during the raid was a family-sized compound where infant Sparrow was used as a human shield by her terrorist father during the ensuing firefight.
Rangers and Armed Foreign Fighters in Combat
The Rangers faced combat with foreign fighters, including Uyghur and Turkistani individuals affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The hostile engagement involved complex room-by-room clearing of the compound with close combat lasting over an hour and a half. Joshua Mast and Shawn Ryan indicate that the battle was extensively documented, with photos and video evidence highlighting the intensity of the firefight.
The violent confrontation saw Rangers facing PKMs, AKs, and homemade grenades, which also resulted in sympathetic explosions within the compound's structure. At one point, Rangers ran out of breaching explosives and resorted to using a Carl Gustav gun, likened to a bazooka or RPG, for breaching the last part of the compound.
Infant Used As Human Shield by Terrorist Father Discovered
During the intense clearing, Rangers stumbled upon an Al-Qaeda operative who had been actively engaging them while using his own child as a human shield. The infant’s father had thrown grenades and shot at the assault force from the compound entrance, even as his terrified mother ran, ultimately partially detonating a suicide vest she wore.
Rangers' Heroic Rescue and Evacuation of Child Amid Heavy Casualties
Despite facing almost a dozen casualties within their own ranks and among their Afghan partner force, the Rangers exhibited moral resolve amidst the chaos. They chose to protect the infant despite the violence and opposition, even from Afghan fighters who did not want the foreign infant to gr ...
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Rescue of Child From Al-qaeda Compound and Injuries
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Actionables
- You can develop emotional resilience by practicing stress inoculation techniques, such as controlled exposure to stressful situations in a safe environment. For instance, engage in activities like public speaking, cold showers, or high-intensity interval training to gradually increase your tolerance to stress, mirroring how the Rangers trained for high-pressure scenarios.
- Enhance your problem-solving skills by participating in escape room challenges with friends or family. This activity requires you to think on your feet, work as a team, and use limited resources creatively, similar to how the Rangers adapted during the raid when they ran out of breaching explosives.
- Volunte ...
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Masts' Efforts For Child Custody in the US
Joshua Mast and his wife, Stephanie, take on the substantial challenge of securing custody and medical care for an orphaned child rescued during a military operation.
Masts Volunteer For Child's Care and Safety
Joshua and Stephanie Mast felt a strong moral obligation to ensure the baby’s well-being after the parents were killed in a military operation. Joshua had already volunteered to help, and upon informing Stephanie, she shared his sentiment, reinforcing that they couldn't leave the baby in such a vulnerable state.
Navigating Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles For Guardianship and Visa
The Masts and their associates encountered numerous bureaucratic hurdles to secure the child's safety. They navigated the visa process, arranging for the child's birth certificate and selecting a symbolic birth date. Legal discussions involved clarifying the child's statelessness and arguing for her categorization as a stateless minor due to Afghanistan’s lack of birthright citizenship. Joshua Mast used his legal expertise to declassify materials to support the argument that the child was in U.S. custody and should be appointed stateless. A judge agreed, and the Masts were appointed as guardians.
The Masts were responsible for covering the costs of obtaining a humanitarian parole visa for medical care in the U.S., demonstrating that the infant wouldn't be a burden on the government. The task involved coordinating with Afghan authorities, acquiring necessary permissions, and fulfilling the requirements for financial sponsorship and prepaid medical care arrangements. This complex process was further complicated by the unresponsiveness of the Afghan government and the absence of operational courts in Taliban-controlled regions.
Arranging Medical Care For Child's Severe Injuries
Joshua Mast, alongside military medical personnel and civil affairs officers, addressed the child’s critical medical needs. The Masts indirectly participated in discussions about her medical care ...
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Masts' Efforts For Child Custody in the US
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can volunteer with organizations that assist with legal and medical aid for vulnerable populations to gain firsthand experience in humanitarian efforts. By offering your time at local legal aid societies or medical clinics, you'll understand the complexities of providing care and support to those in need, similar to the Masts' experience with the orphaned child.
- Consider taking a first aid course to be prepared for emergency situations where you might encounter someone with critical medical needs. This practical skill set will enable you to provide immediate assistance and could be vital in a crisis, reflecting the medical attention the Masts coordinated for the child.
- Start a fundraiser or awareness campaign for a cause tha ...
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US Agency Interference in Custody Battle Misconduct
Joshua and Stephanie Mast have raised serious concerns regarding the US government's handling of a custody case involving an injured Afghan infant. Allegations of misinformation, cover-up by officials, and misuse of the legal system have surfaced, indicating potential misconduct.
Resistance From State Department and Embassy in Afghanistan
Expedited Child Handover to Unverified Afghan Claimants Without Vetting
Joshua Mast recounted troubling instances of the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan attempting to fast-track the handover of an injured child to Afghan claimants without proper vetting. Despite immediate family reportedly not being alive, the embassy and the State Department dismissed the need for DNA testing and pushed for the child's return, contrary to a policy regarding the child's best interests set by the Vice President's office.
Allegations of Misinformation and Cover-Up by Officials
Mast describes an environment of deceit from the U.S. Embassy and State Department when dealing with the custody battle. Misinformation, such as false claims that the child had living relatives confirmed and that DNA testing was unnecessary, was propagated. The embassy and State Department acted against instructions to consider the welfare of the child, and their actions contradicted their own policies and the intelligence available. Mast accused embassy personnel of insubordination to administration directives and suggests that they were influenced by considerations of a peace deal with the Taliban rather than the well-being of the child.
Weaponizing the Legal System and Classification to Hinder the Mast's Case
Joshua Mast's Testimony Permissions and Evidence Release Changes
Mast faced constant alterations to his testimony permissions and was hindered by restrictive information flow, indicating a possible misuse of classification to affect legal outcomes. He suggests that important testimony from a colonel who had witnessed the child’s handover, and other evidence, was suppressed or delayed to disrupt the Masts' legal rights.
Collusion Between Government and Opposing Counsel to Undermine Masts
Mast alleges collusion between the gove ...
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US Agency Interference in Custody Battle Misconduct
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can educate yourself on the legal rights and processes involved in international adoption and custody disputes to better understand the complexities of such cases. Start by reading up on international adoption laws, such as the Hague Adoption Convention, and familiarize yourself with the legal steps required to adopt a child from another country. This knowledge can help you advocate for proper legal procedures and support those who might be navigating similar situations.
- Develop a habit of critical media consumption by cross-referencing news stories from multiple sources, especially when they involve government actions. When you come across a report about government proceedings, take the time to look up additional articles or official statements from different outlets and perspectives. This practice can help you form a more balanced view and potentially identify misinformation or bias.
- Engage in community discussions or online forums fo ...
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The Personal and Emotional Impact on the Masts
The Mast family's dedication to safeguarding a child amid the chaos of Afghanistan evacuation efforts serves as an emotionally charged story filled with trials and a reaffirmation of their faith and sense of duty.
Emotional Rollercoaster as Masts Protect Child
Child's Distress and Handover to Dangerous Individuals
Joshua Mast recollects a heart-wrenching narrative of the distress their adopted daughter, known as 'Sparrow,' endured due to injuries sustained and the looming threat of being handed over to dangerous individuals in Afghanistan. Despite the risk of handing the child to individuals potentially affiliated with the Taliban, the Masts remained steadfast in their resolve to protect her, driven by a profound moral imperative.
Strain on Masts' Family and Joshua's Military Career due to Dedication to the Cause
Joshua and Stephanie Mast endured an immense strain on their family life and Joshua's military career as they championed their daughter's safety. They describe the ongoing legal and ethical battle, which has extended since 2019, akin to a protracted deployment, compelling a sacrifice analogous to avoiding a burning car's immediate peril, regardless of personal cost.
Faith and Duty That Sustained the Masts
Conviction in Their Moral Choice Despite the Cost
Amidst bureaucratic challenges and substantial personal costs, Joshua Mast's unwavering commitment to doing what was morally right over administratively correct evidences a deep-rooted conviction. The Masts' efforts to advocate for Sparrow, underscored by the principles of l ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Personal and Emotional Impact on the Masts
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can volunteer with organizations that assist in crisis situations to provide immediate support to those in need. By registering with groups that offer aid during natural disasters or humanitarian crises, you can be on the front lines helping individuals like Sparrow. For example, you might sign up with the Red Cross or a refugee assistance program, where you can contribute through on-the-ground support, donations, or remote assistance such as language translation or legal aid.
- Start a small-scale fundraiser to support a family or individual facing hardship, mirroring the community support the Masts received. Use social media or crowdfunding platforms to raise awareness and funds for someone in your community or abroad who is in a difficult situation. This could be for a local family struggling with medical bills, a child needing educational resources, or someone seeking asylum.
- Reflect on and write down your core values, then m ...
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