New Bureau Chief for Pakistan and Afghanistan

Please join us in congratulating Elian Peltier as he becomes The New York Times's new bureau chief for Pakistan and Afghanistan - and the first Times correspondent to be based in Pakistan since 2013. Since this summer, Elian has covered the mass expulsions of Afghans from neighboring countries, the devastating impact of floods in Pakistan and rising tensions between the two countries .

He recently completed his assignment as West Africa correspondent, where he reported on the spread of jihadism in the region, human rights abuses committed by the Wagner Group , and the impact of the wars in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo on civilians.

"Elian showed in Africa that he has the ideal reporter's combo: an eye for a good story, an ease at getting people to open up, compassion, a relentless work ethic and the humility to rewrite until it sang," said Laurie Goodstein, deputy International editor. "He was intrepid and wise in often tough environments. I'm thrilled to see him take on this next challenging assignment."

As part of The Times's Old World, Young Africa project, he wrote about how African rappers, comedians and writers are catalyzing a shift in the use of the French language, both in African countries and in France. It stands as one of his favorite stories, alongside pieces addressing social issues such as the lasting trauma of the world's deadliest peacetime shipwreck in Senegal or an initiative to train hairdressers in mental health counseling in Togo .

A native of France, Elian began his career at The Times in Europe, first in the Paris bureau where he distinguished himself with his coverage of the Notre-Dame fire , and later as part of the London operation, where he reported on the coronavirus pandemic across Western Europe, and covered the European Union from Brussels.

Elian will now be based in Islamabad. He says the capital area's lush hiking trails will serve as a great training ground for the many races he's spotted across the country - he joined a running club on his first week there this summer.

- Phil and Doug