M. Ashraf Haidari
Blog Contributor
Counselor, Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C.
 
Mr. M. Ashraf Haidari is the Counselor for Political, Security, and Development Affairs at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC. He maintains bilateral relations with the U.S. Administration and the Congress, while coordinating the Government of Afghanistan's defense, security, and law enforcement relations with the U.S. counterparts. In addition, Mr. Haidari manages Afghanistan's expanding non-resident diplomatic relations with Brazil and Colombia, and plays an active role in the Embassy's public diplomacy efforts in support of Afghanistan's reconstruction. Mr. Haidari has represented Afghanistan in major public, bilateral, and multilateral forums, and discussed the country’s state-building process in numerous interviews with international media. He is the Editor of the Embassy's monthly newsletter, and frequently publishes articles in various papers on the politics, security, and post-conflict rebuilding of Afghanistan. Mr. Haidari previously served the Embassy as First Secretary and Director of Government and Media Relations.

Before joining Afghanistan's Foreign Service, Mr. Haidari worked as Federal Relations Specialist, Research Analyst, and Assistant Director of Development at Georgetown University in Washington DC. He researched and consulted with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Center for Documentation and Research (CDR) and Regional Bureau for Central Asia, South West Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East (CASWANAME) in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2000. He worked with the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP), and served as Assistant to the UN Area Security Coordinator, the UN Team Leader, and the UN Flight Coordinator in Afghanistan from 1995-1997. From 1992-1995, he worked as Field Officer with UNHCR for the Afghan and Tajik Refugees Program in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Mr. Haidari holds an M.A. in Security Studies (International Security & Development) from the Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, where he was a two-year International Peace Scholar; and a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Wabash College, where he was a four-year International Merit Scholar. Mr. Haidari also did a one-year Fellowship at the Georgetown University Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, and holds advanced certificates in International Affairs and Refugee & Humanitarian Emergencies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and Institute for the Study of International Migration. In 2000, he pursued a one-year European Studies Program -- studying European Economic Integration, International Law and Organizations, Public Service, Swiss Politics, and French at the Kent State University Geneva Study-Abroad Program in Switzerland. Mr. Haidari speaks English, French, and some Russian.

Email: Haidari@embassyofafghanistan.org
Phone (direct): 202 449 4193

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