Bergdahl podcast: Did the soldier’s explanation for walking off base make sense?

“Serial,” the popular podcast produced by the people behind “This American Life,” is focusing this season on Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the Hailey soldier held captive for five years after leaving his post in Afghanistan.

In turn, we’re examining Bergdahl’s story and the reporting by “Serial” in more depth. Here’s the newest episode of “Speaking of Serial,” a joint effort of the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio (KBSX):

This week, our panelists share their reactions to “5 O'Clock Shadow” and the circumstances that surrounded Bergdahl's decision to walk off his base in Afghanistan. Essentially, this was his opportunity to convince us his commanding officers were inept and his life was truly at danger. We also talk to former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy about Bergdahl's decision to talk to Mark Boal in the first place and how that might affect the outcome of his trial.

“Speaking of Serial” episodes can be found every other Wednesday on weeks when “Serial” is off, for the length of that podcast’s second season, on SoundCloud or iTunes. Our next episode will post Feb. 24.

“Serial” posts new episodes every other Thursday, with the next one due Feb. 18. You’ll find the latest one here.

Bergdahl walked away from his unit in Afghanistan in 2009, saying he wanted to draw attention to problems within the military. Captured soon after, he was held for five years by a group affiliated with the Taliban before he returned to the U.S. as part of a controversial prisoner swap in May 2014. Now, he faces a full military court-martial, charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

Each week on “Speaking of Serial,” reporters with the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio will discuss Bergdahl’s case, Serial’s reporting and what happens when an Idahoan becomes the center of international news.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Bergdahl podcast: Did the soldier’s explanation for walking off base make sense?."