Zalmay Khalilzad
Zalmay Khalilzad
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzad
Commonly referred to as Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad
Birth and Death Dates
Born: October 21, 1947
Status: Alive (as of last update)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Afghan-American
Profession:
Diplomat
Politician
Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United NationsEarly Life and Background
Zalmay Khalilzad was born on October 21, 1947, in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. His family moved to Pakistan when he was a child due to the Soviet occupation of their homeland. He later received his education in the United States, earning a bachelor's degree from the American University and a Ph.D. in international relations from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Major Accomplishments
Khalilzad's career in diplomacy spans over three decades. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Serving as U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (2005-2013)
Served as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq (2005-2007) and led the U.S.-led negotiations that resulted in a bilateral security agreement
Represented the United States at the United Nations as Special Representative for Afghanistan
Notable Works or Actions
Khalilzad has been involved in several key initiatives throughout his career:
He played a crucial role in negotiating the 2003 U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement
Led negotiations that resulted in the signing of a Bilateral Security Agreement between Iraq and the United States in 2008
Impact and Legacy
Zalmay Khalilzad's work has had a lasting impact on global diplomacy:
His efforts have contributed to improved relations between the United States and Afghanistan
He played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during his tenure as ambassador
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Khalilzad is widely quoted for his expertise in international relations, particularly regarding Afghanistan and Iraq. His work has had significant implications on global politics:
As one of the most experienced diplomats of his generation
He continues to contribute to discussions on U.S. foreign policy through public speaking engagements, media appearances, and publications.
His dedication to fostering peace and stability in conflict zones has left a lasting impact on international relations.
Quotes by Zalmay Khalilzad
I don’t believe that military intervention is always the right approach. What we need is a comprehensive strategy, one that advances democratization, economic reforms and equal rights for women.
The Sunnis continue to see themselves, possibly for nostalgic reasons, as the most influential group and want a stronger central government – quite unlike minorities in other countries. The circumstances here are far more complex than many people in Washington imagine.
We can’t say whether Tehran is supporting Al Qaeda, but we do know that al-Qaida people come here from Pakistan through Iran.
Today we’re seeing fundamental conflicts within political Islam, with the fundamentalists on the one side and the moderates on the other. Who gains the upper hand means a great deal to the world.
Besides, many Islamic movements will change as soon as they gain political responsibility. I’m not at all pessimistic in this regard. Just think of Turkey, where the Islamists are now behaving like a sort of Christian Democratic party in Europe.
I constantly signal to the Iraqi leaders that our patience, or the patience of the American people, is running out.
Everyone believes that the prospect for a civil war has diminished significantly over the past several days. All the mainstream leaders of Iraq believe that civil war must be avoided. It’s very positive that they are all saying it.
I consider the modernization of the Middle East the central challenge of our time. This region behaves as if it were disturbed, if you’ll excuse the clinical expression.
