Rise to Peace: From Fighting Terror to Building Peace
About this ebook
After that, I worked with the U.S. State Department on terrorism cases tied to top-tier Taliban and al-Qaeda networks—bomb makers, suicide-attack recruiters, and the financiers behind them. Investigating cases, sitting in tribunals, and hearing detainees explain why they joined—what they believed, what pushed them—made one thing clear: if you only respond after the violence, you’re already late.
I later immigrated to the United States on a special visa and began working for the U.S. government. And that’s when it really hit me: what I had seen on the ground didn’t match how terrorism was talked about in Washington and the West—like it’s one face, one group, one headline.
That gap is why I founded Rise to Peace in 2016—to share what I lived. I kept telling the story because I knew it mattered. People didn’t connect to a “terrorism expert” reading reports—they connected to someone who was there. And that’s why it grew. Today it’s 600+ emerging leaders across 34 countries, building the next generation to challenge the narrative around terrorism and go after what actually drives conflict—before it becomes the next war.
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About the author
Ahmad Shah Mohibi is founder of Rise to Peace. He is an American entrepreneur and author of the memoir WarGuy. He builds ventures—turning ideas into brands, products, and platforms—and shares the journey on WarGuy podcast. Born in Afghanistan, he served with U.S. forces during Operation Enduring Freedom at 16, later came to the United States on a Special Visa, and served as a U.S. federal employee in diplomatic and national-security roles. He founded Rise to Peace as a hub for global peace efforts and the next generation of leaders, and through it has mentored 600+ professionals across 34 countries in career strategy and leadership. He also leads WarGuy Impact through the Mohibi Foundation.
