Dr. Nadir Atash is a renowned Afghan-American educator, entrepreneur, activist, and author who has more than forty years of experience in education, business management, policy formulation, and development. Dr. Atash is an expert on Afghanistan who has witnessed firsthand the depths of the problems in the country. Dr. Atash’s exposure of corruption in Afghanistan in 2006 resulted in media smear campaigns, arrest warrants, and death threats against him in an effort by Afghan officials to silence him. Now, the effects of corruption he predicted years ago have become a reality and are recognized by the international community. Based on his unique experience as a former government official, he offers solutions on what it will take to rebuild Afghanistan.

Dr. Atash left the U.S. shortly after 9/11 to serve as a volunteer in Afghanistan’s reconstruction. He was the first Chairman of the Board of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), opening its first office in Kabul, Afghanistan and organizing its first conference in Kandahar. He served as a Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Finance in 2003-2004 and to the Ministry of Transportation from 2004-2005, and President of Ariana Afghan Airlines (2005-06). Dr. Atash is the founder of Nooristan Foundation (www.nooristanfoundation.org) and a founding member of the Afghanistan Advocacy Group, a network of professionals in the U.S. that provides advice to policy makers on development and security issues in Afghanistan.

Dr. Atash has appeared in U.S. and international media (Reuters, BBC, The Washington Times, National Press Club, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, AFP and much more), speaking on governance, democracy, private sector development, and education related to Afghanistan. He has also participated at major international conferences on various topics.

Dr. Atash is also the author of “TURBULENCE –The Tumultuous Journey of One Man's Quest for Change in Afghanistan.” The book is based on Dr. Atash’s real life experiences working on education and economic development programs over four decades and provides insights on the realities of fighting corruption within Afghanistan’s government after the fall of the Taliban. It includes recommendations that are timely given the Obama Administration’s new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Turbulence" has been called “fascinating” … “excellent” … “bold” …“crucial to understanding Afghanistan.” It gives readers a gripping front-row seat to lawlessness and corruption in Afghanistan – and it lays out a sensible way forward for making the country stronger and more stable.

Dr. Atash received his Ph.D. (1982) in Educational Research, Statistics, and Measurement from Florida State University and his M.A. (1973) in Science Education from Claremont Graduate School, both on academic scholarship from UNESCO. He received his B.S. (1970) in Chemistry from The American University of Beirut, where he was the recipient of a USAID Academic Scholarship. He was the youngest recipient of the first scholarship program for Afghan students to study in the United States, completing his high school degree at East High School in Madison, Wisconsin in 1962.

For more information contact: info@drnadiratash.com

NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK: TURBULENCE - The Tumultuous Journey of One Man's Quest for Change in Afghanistan chronicles Dr. Nadir Atash's firsthand experiences between Afghanistan and the U.S. over 50 years, and his efforts to bring reform, education and democracy amid an environment of growing corruption in post-Taliban Afghanistan.