The State We’re In, 21 November 2009: We talk to two Somali men who fought for the violent Islamist group, al-Shabab -- and now regret their decisions. We also speak to a political prisoner from Uruguay who spent 26 years to find her son. And: Argentine veterans from the Falklands War who are seeking justice over human rights abuses committed on them by their own officers.

Listen to this week's show in full:
 

 
Ex-Somali jihadist speaks out
Two years ago, when Ilyas Hassan Omar was 22, he joined the radical Islamist group, al-Shabab. After shooting and beheading people, he grew disenchanted. He now rejects the hardline stance of al-Shabab, and prays for forgiveness for his sins.

In fear of al-Shabab
Hassan (not his real name) is a Somali MP. He once fought alongside al-Shabab, but became repulsed by what he calls the group’s “un-Islamic lust for power”. Now he lives in fear of them.

Sara and Simón
Uruguay’s Dirty War: Sara Méndez was abducted in 1976 and separated from her newborn son, Simón. After spending years in detention as a political prisoner, Sara began to look for Simón. It took her 26 years to find him.  She tells Jonathan what that reunion was like.

Blessed by Fire
A 2005 movie exposes the maltreatment, starvation and torture of Argentine soldiers at the hands of their own officers during the war in the Falklands. After 25 years of silence, veterans there are finally seeking justice.

Dilemma: cash or integrity?
Jonathan talks with Rob Cockerham about a dilemma he faced when the company he exposed as a scam on his website made him an offer to bury the story.  He explains why he didn't take the cash.