Gen Anthony Zinni

Gen. Anthony (Tony) C. Zinni is a retired four-star United States Marine Corps general. Throughout his career, he served in numerous diplomatic roles, including as the U.S. special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and on missions to Pakistan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000 after a 39-year career that saw him visit over 70 countries in various command assignments. From 1997 to 2000, he served as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Central Command.

During his military tenure, Zinni earned 23 personal awards and 37 unit, service, and campaign awards. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961 and was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in 1965 after completing his undergraduate degree in economics at Villanova University. He went on to earn graduate degrees in international relations from Salve Regina University and in management and supervision from Central Michigan University.

Zinni has received honorary doctorates from Villanova University, the College of William and Mary, and Maine Maritime Academy. His academic roles have included the Stanley Chair in Ethics at the Virginia Military Institute, the Nimitz Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, the Hofheimer Chair at the Joint Forces Staff College, and the Harriman Professorship of Government at the Reves Center for International Studies at the College of William and Mary. In addition to his academic work, Zinni has been engaged with the University of California's Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, and the Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva. Previously, he chaired the board of BAE Systems Inc., served on the board of Dyncorp International, and was appointed an executive vice president. He also held the position of president of International Operations for M.I.C. Industries, Inc.

Zinni is the author of two best-selling books on his military career and foreign affairs: "Battle Ready" and "The Battle for Peace." His latest book, "Leading the Charge," was released in 2009.