Ambassador Khalilzad is a writer and diplomat who has held several senior positions in the United States government. During the Reagan administration, he worked at the Department of State. He later served as U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (2004–2005), to Iraq (2005–2007), and as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2007–2009).

During his tenure in Afghanistan, he played a key role in supporting the establishment of a national government and contributed to the development of the American University of Afghanistan, where he later served as a board member. As Ambassador to Iraq, he helped facilitate negotiations among Iraqi leaders that led to the drafting of Iraq’s first federal democratic constitution. At the United Nations, he worked to advance U.S. policy in support of the UN’s role in maintaining international peace and assisting member states. He has received numerous awards from the U.S. Department of Defense in recognition of his distinguished public service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ambassador Khalilzad also held several senior roles at the National Security Council, including Special Presidential Envoy to Afghanistan, Special Assistant to the President, and Senior Director for Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and North African Affairs. He also served as Ambassador-at-Large for Free Iraqis and Special Presidential Envoy. In addition, he led the Bush-Cheney transition team for the Department of Defense.

In academia, he served as Assistant Professor of Political Science at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs from 1979 to 1989. He also served as Director of the Strategy, Doctrine, and Force Structure Program for RAND’s Project Air Force. He is the author of several works, including his memoir The Envoy: From Kabul to the White House, My Journey Through a Turbulent World.

Ambassador Khalilzad holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the American University of Beirut and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.