Accused U.S. Army deserter Bowe Bergdahl says he walked off his base in Afghanistan to cause a crisis that would catch the attention of the military's leadership.
In a podcast on December 10, the Army sergeant said he wanted to demonstrate to top brass about what he believed was a "leadership failure" in his unit.
Bergdahl hasn't spoken publicly previously about his decision or his subsequent capture and five-year imprisonment by the Taliban. He returned to the United States last year in a controversial prisoner exchange involving five Taliban prisoners.
Over the past several months Bergdahl spoke with screenwriter Mark Boal, who shared the recorded interviews with Sarah Koenig for her popular podcast, "Serial."
Bergdahl, 29, was charged in March with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. He faces up to life in prison, though one Army officer suggested Bergdahl already suffered enough at the hands of the Taliban during his capture.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters