Veterans, Terrorism & Democracy

Join us for a compelling episode of You, Me, and Democracy, where we delve into the intersection of veterans, terrorism, and the health of our democratic systems. This episode features two remarkable guests: Matt Langenberg, an attorney at Burg Simpson who represents injured veterans in lawsuits against Iran under the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST), and Rob, a U.S. Army veteran who served one tour in Afghanistan and two in Iraq, surviving catastrophic injuries from an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) during his final deployment. Together, they unpack the legal and personal ramifications of state-sponsored terrorism, spotlighting the USVSST—often known as the 9/11 Victims Fund—and its role in compensating veterans harmed by nations like Iran, which funds terror groups but rarely faces direct accountability in court. Matt explains how the fund, fueled by sanctions and penalties, seeks to deliver justice, while Rob shares his harrowing journey—from enlisting at 17, inspired by John Wayne films, to enduring multiple combat tours and a life-altering IED attack that cost him both legs just 11 days before he was due to return home.

In this episode, we explore the profound stakes of policy and law, including the recent Borochov court decision, which controversially requires a completed extrajudicial killing for claims to qualify—potentially excluding veterans like Rob, who survived despite severe injuries, from receiving compensation. Matt breaks down the legal complexities, including the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and its terrorism exception, while Rob offers a raw, firsthand account of his service, the attack that changed his life, and his ongoing recovery, supported by Walter Reed’s exceptional care. Together, they highlight the broader implications for democracy: how supporting veterans through such funds not only honors their sacrifice but also dries up terrorism financing, holding state sponsors accountable. With actionable insights—contact your member of Congress to clarify the fund’s intent and ensure its funding—this episode is a powerful call to action, revealing how one bomb, one policy shift, or one voice can ripple through lives and nations, as Rob poignantly notes: stopping even a single IED could have saved his comrades.