The first thing that comes to mind - possibly because you primed me by mentioning WWII - is The Best Years of Our Lives. The characters have lots of very real, very relatable problems after returning from the war. And they eventually solve their problems essentially be being vulnerable and honest with each other.

I haven't seen (or remember hearing of) 12 O'Clock High, but I'll look it up.

Relating more to your actual article, have you seen this video from the PBS NewHour?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SimIS_cQ6ko

At minute 3 is where it especially gets interesting.

I think it's really enlightening to see how little access to information many Afghanis have, and to consider how that might affect their worldview.