Joshua Mast

Joshua Mast is a U.S. Marine Major who, along with his wife Stephanie, adopted an Afghan war orphan. This case has become newsworthy due to a recent ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court upholding the adoption. An Associated Press report revealed that the U.S. government seemingly worked against itself to facilitate the adoption. The judge involved initially believed the child was in critical condition with no family, prompting him to approve the adoption. However, a lawyer for the federal government later disputed this characterization. The case highlights complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding international adoptions, particularly those involving children from conflict zones, and raises questions about the U.S. government's role in such proceedings. The Virginia Supreme Court's decision ensures the adoption will stand, resolving the immediate legal challenge.