CAMELIA ENTEKHABIFARD was born in Tehran in 1973. While in high school and university, she became active as an emerging poet and painter. She then turned to journalism, writing for a number of papers, including the leading reformist daily, Zan [Woman]. In 1999 she was arrested for her journalistic activities and spent three months in prison. Upon her release, she came to the United States as a student and political refugee. Since then, she has reported on Iranian and Afghan affairs for Associated Press, Reuters, Eurasia Net, the Village Voice, and Mother Jones. Currently, she spends much of her time reporting from Afghanistan.