Junaid Lughmani, a first-generation American, is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School. His commitment to public service was ignited by the impact of geopolitics across the Middle East and southwest Asia after 9/11, which he experienced firsthand as a New Yorker during the first significant global event of the 21st century. After college, Junaid spent three years in Afghanistan with the U.S. military and intelligence officials as a civilian Pashto interpreter and cultural advisor. Inspired by his military colleagues, he later joined the Army as an officer and returned to Afghanistan, where he led an infantry platoon in combat missions. Following his service, Junaid played a pivotal role in founding a veteran-owned broker-dealer in the financial sector before pursuing an MBA at UC Berkeley. Junaid's expertise in geopolitics has allowed him to provide invaluable insights, bridging cultures between Middle Eastern, South Asian, and American stakeholders. His interest areas focus on the transformative role of technology in modernizing the developing world, the future of warfare, and addressing the challenges of population collapse. Post-HKS, Junaid plans to leverage his background and experience to shape effective policies and strategies in these areas, promoting a balanced approach to global development and security.