Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    The Real Life "Romeo and Juliet" of Afghanistan

    Shakespeare's fictional Romeo and Juliet were "star-crossed lovers" because they came from feuding Italian families. In Afghanistan, a couple is "star-crossed" in real life, because one is Shiite and the other is Sunni.

    • rss
    • Share
    By Warren Olney • Feb 15, 2016 • 11m Listen

    Shakespeare's fictional Romeo and Juliet were "star-crossed lovers" because they came from feuding Italian families. In Afghanistan, a couple is "star-crossed" in real life, because one is Shiite and the other is Sunni. Kabul Bureau Chief for the New York Times, Rod Nordland is author of The Lovers: Afghanistan's Romeo and Juliet, the True Story of How They Defied Their Families and Escaped an Honor Killing.

    The full episode

    3 of 3
    Antonin Scalia: His Legacy in Law and Politics
    1. 1:48Death of Justice Scalia Sets up Epic Battle for Power
    2. 8:42Antonin Scalia: His Legacy in Law and Politics
    3. 41:24The Real Life "Romeo and Juliet" of AfghanistanYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Rod Nordland

      New York Times

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    3 of 3
    Antonin Scalia: His Legacy in Law and Politics
    1. 1:48Death of Justice Scalia Sets up Epic Battle for Power
    2. 8:42Antonin Scalia: His Legacy in Law and Politics
    3. 41:24The Real Life "Romeo and Juliet" of AfghanistanYou’re reading this
    Back to To the Point