Zalmay Khalilzad

Zalmay Khalilzad served as the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation from 2018 to 2021, playing a key role in brokering the US-Taliban deal and facilitating the final United States withdrawal from Afghanistan. In addition to his diplomatic roles, Khalilzad has contributed significantly to the field of foreign policy through his academic work. He has contributed at least 28 papers to the RAND Corporation and has written articles on the value of U.S. global leadership and the potential consequences of a decline in American power. He has also authored a political autobiography titled "The Envoy: From Kabul to the White House, My Journey Through a Turbulent World".

Khalilzad served as the United States ambassador to Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005, to Iraq from 2005 to 2007, and to the United Nations from 2007 to 2009. During his time in these roles, he was instrumental in shaping the constitutions of both Afghanistan and Iraq, facilitated the formation of the first post-Saddam government in Iraq, and was known for his diplomatic approach. His contribution to the field of diplomacy was recognized as he received awards for outstanding public service from three different secretaries of defense and the highest national medals from the presidents of Afghanistan, Georgia, and Kosovo.

Khalilzad was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan before coming to the United States as a high school exchange student. He furthered his education at the American University of Beirut and the University of Chicago, where he earned his doctorate. Before his significant roles as ambassador, Khalilzad began his career in academia, working as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs from 1979 to 1989. He also held advisory roles during the Reagan administration and served under President George H. W. Bush in the Defense Department as deputy undersecretary for policy planning between 1990 to 1992.