WASHINGTON (AP) — Months before becoming president-elect of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai began spending tens of thousands of dollars on lobbyists in the United States, using his ties to the West to seek influence in Washington.

Since May, Ghani Ahmadzai’s campaign has hired three different Washington public relations and lobbying firms, according to required Justice Department filings. At times, his campaign has spent $180,000 a month to reach out to media, members of Congress and Obama administration officials.