Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa
Baktash Ahadi: From Afghanistan to American Diplomacy
Crossed the Hindu Kush on foot as a child and later taught American diplomats about Afghanistan.
- Fled
- Afghanistan
- Status
- Asylee (after years in refugee camps)
- Arrived in the U.S.
- about 1986
- Service
- Instructor, Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State
- Region
- Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa
Baktash Ahadi was born in Kabul in 1981. His father refused to join the Communist government, and in 1984 the family fled on foot across the Hindu Kush, evading Soviet gunships and landmines. After about two years in refugee camps in Pakistan, they received asylum in the United States and settled in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
He served in the Peace Corps in Mozambique and as a combat interpreter with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, then became an instructor at the Department of State's Foreign Service Institute, teaching diplomats about Afghanistan. He has also made documentary films about the country.
Read the history behind this story on the Afghanistan page, or browse all the diplomats.