Author, philanthropist and businessman Dr. Nadir Atash presents his book Turbulence, the Tumultuous Journey of One Man's Quest for Change in Afghanistan.

Turbulence, a memoir of AfghanistanThis is a rare perspective that has not yet been heard regarding the war in Afghanistan—from an Afghan-American expert who has lived and traveled between Afghanistan and the U.S. for the past five decades. Through real life, chilling accounts, Dr. Atash exposes corruption in the Afghan government and provides insight on how the international community can improve its assistance. His quest for justice is an inspirational tale, from which individuals and nations supporting the cause of freedom and democracy can learn. Dr. Atash offers unique insights not being shared by the usual "analysts," who are cited as experts, but have little first-hand experience in Afghanistan or knowledge of its culture and history.

Turbulence shows how what began as a "war on terror" revealed that security cannot be achieved through military means alone. The effort has to shift to "securing the peace," if a stable country is to be left behind, which is the only way that U.S. and international troops can withdraw successfully. Turbulence sheds light on these issues through the perspective of an Afghan-American, who serves as a bridge of understanding between the two countries.

Nadir Atash's book on Afghanistan is a 250-page memoir that provides personal insight into Afghanistan, starting in the 1950's when Afghans thought fondly of John F. Kennedy and America, to the subsequent Soviet war, the rise of the Taliban, and U.S. engagement following the attacks of 9/11 when Dr. Atash, as part of the the world's largest expatriate movement, took part in the rebuilding of Afghanistan and became an advisor to the Afghan Government.

Dr. Nadir AtashDr. Atash was a U.S. citizen with a PhD, a family, and a successful business when he returned to Afghanistan in 2002, finding his homeland had been destroyed. After years of helping rebuild schools and promoting economic development, he was invited to become an official in the post-Taliban Afghan Government. Atash was tasked to modernize Ariana Airlines, Afghanistan's national carrier, which used to be the best airline in Asia, and which had been reduced to a dismal fleet of four old planes in 2001. The airline's ups and downs had mirrored the country's tumultuous history.

While succeeding with many efforts to bring positive change, Atash also found himself as one of the few fighting corruption and narcotics smuggling from the inside. He believed that the U.S. government and NATO forces would view this effort as part of its overall mission, but began to see that the mission was largely focused on fighting insurgents, and secondarily on the root causes of its existence—poverty, corruption and lack of rule of law. Two years after his resignation, the warning signs Dr. Atash had identified were realities that the Obama Administration was addressing in its new strategy. The U.S. and NATO were now caught in a greater insurgency and had lost public support in both Afghanistan and their home countries. What the U.S.'s exit strategy will now be and how that will impact security in Afghanistan and the region are critical issues for consideration.

Dr. Atash is familiar with a broad range of issues related to Afghanistan including the role of the West, security, governance, education, economic development, the recent elections, and other topics. All this from the perspective that has not yet been heard—from an Afghan-American expert who has lived and traveled between Afghanistan and the U.S. for the past five decades and not just talked about, but brought reform and democracy to institutions broken after years of conflict and war.