Ahmad Shah Mohibi: Founder of Rise to Peace, Driving Global Peace

Ahmad Shah Mohibi stands as a warborn, American-made counterterrorism leader and nonprofit founder, transforming global security through Rise to Peace. Raised in Afghanistan amidst the Soviet-Afghan War and the 1990s Afghan Civil War, he endured rocket attacks, lost family members, and faced extremist violence. As a child, he turned hardship into opportunity, bartering poppy fields’ bounty—legally traded opium then—and city goods in villages, forging a relentless drive.

At 16, recruited for his courage, Mohibi assisted the U.S. War on Terror Operation Enduring Freedom, fighting terrorists on the frontlines, dodging IEDs, and dismantling networks alongside U.S. forces after 9/11. Facing constant threats from terrorists, he earned a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) to the U.S., a hard-won recognition of his service (CNN Interview). A proud American veteran, he pursued degrees from George Washington University and George Mason University, then leveraged his expertise as a former federal counterterrorism employee, advising Pentagon leaders and training 35,000 Afghan soldiers under NATO.

In 2016, Mohibi founded Rise to Peace, a nonprofit committed to crushing terrorism with real solutions. Why does Rise to Peace matter? It’s a global force, exposing networks, challenging weak policies, and fostering peacebuilding with battlefield-tested strategies. His leadership has driven over 30 international conferences, trained 500+ professionals from 34 countries, and published 680+ reports on security threats. Mohibi’s unparalleled ability to help, coach, and train—mentoring students, leaders, and soldiers with hard-earned wisdom—builds a network spanning governments and sectors, making Rise to Peace a peacebuilding powerhouse. He also launched Kokcha.us, a consultancy delivering no-nonsense solutions for government and business.

Mohibi’s passion for countering terrorism resonates on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, Al Jazeera, and TRT World, offering raw insights on conflict (MSNBC Interview). He authored a chapter in Counterterrorism Policies and Strategies (IOS Press) and “The Afghan Peace Talks: Feasible or Futile?” (Washington Examiner). In 2024, The Warguy Show podcast (YouTube) amplified his mission. His site, ahmadshahmohibi.com, showcases his legacy, proving his commitment to a terrorism-free world.

Connect: amohibi@risetopeace.org (mailto:amohibi@risetopeace.org)
Follow: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

In His Own Words

I was born in war. Raised in war. Fought in war.
I immigrated because of war. And I still fight because of war.

But now, I fight differently. I am a proud American—made in America.

I didn’t read about terrorism in a classroom—I lived it, survived it, and fought it head-on. While others studied counterterrorism theories, I was on the front lines, dodging IEDs, working alongside U.S. forces, and dismantling terrorist networks. My contributions and the threats I faced led the U.S. government to bring me here as recognition of my service.

But coming to America didn’t mean leaving the fight behind. It meant continuing the mission on a new battlefield.

I served alongside over 30 nations under NATO command, training more than 35,000 Afghan soldiers to fight terrorism. I advised senior U.S. government officials and military leaders before their deployments across the Middle East and Afghanistan, briefing them at the Pentagon and other high-level government institutions.

When I came to the U.S., I didn’t just settle—I built a mission. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees and founded Rise to Peace, a counterterrorism organization that focuses on real solutions, not political posturing. Terrorism isn’t a theory to me. I know what works, what fails, and what needs to change.

My work exposes terrorist networks, dismantles recruitment pipelines, and challenges weak policies that allow extremism to thrive. Governments debate—I act.

Since 2017, I have hired, coached and worked with over 500 interns and research fellows from 34 different countries, building a global network of counterterrorism professionals. I have hosted over 30 international conferences on terrorism, peace, and security, bringing together top experts and policymakers.

I have written and published more than 680 op-eds, special reports, and articles with the Rise to Peace team, dissecting global security threats and solutions. Additionally, I have authored two books on ISIS and radicalism, breaking down the ideological and operational mechanics of modern terrorism.

Because of my background, I don’t sugarcoat reality. That’s why major media outlets turn to me for direct, no-nonsense analysis. I have appeared on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, Al Jazeera, TRT World, and hundreds of other international platforms, covering issues from terrorism and Afghanistan to Middle East conflicts and U.S. domestic extremism.

This war isn’t over—it has just moved to new fronts. The battlefield is now in media, policy, and the minds of young leaders who will shape the future. I work with students, researchers, and security professionals to train the next generation of counterterrorism experts who will fight extremism with intelligence, strategy, and bold action.

You don’t need a weapon to fight terrorism. You need knowledge, influence, and the courage to act.

🔴 Join the mission. Together, we’ll fight for a safer world.