Zalmay Khalilzad

Zalmay Khalilzad
Born	Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzad 22 3, 1951
Birthplace	Mazar-i-Sharif, Kingdom of Afghanistan
Nationality	American
Occupation	Diplomat, foreign policy advisor, consultant
Title	Ambassador
Known for	U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Nations; U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation
Education	University of Chicago (Ph.D.)
Spouse(s)	Cheryl Benard
Children	2

Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzad (born March 22, 1951) is an American diplomat, foreign policy expert, and political consultant who played a central role in shaping United States policy toward Afghanistan and Iraq over the course of more than three decades. Born in Mazar-i-Sharif in the Kingdom of Afghanistan and raised in Kabul, Khalilzad came to the United States as a high school exchange student and went on to earn a doctorate from the University of Chicago. He rose to prominence during the Reagan administration, when he served in the Department of State advising on the American response to the Soviet–Afghan War. Under President George W. Bush, Khalilzad served as the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005, the United States Ambassador to Iraq from 2005 to 2007, and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2007 to 2009—becoming the highest-ranking Afghan-born American in U.S. government history. In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed him as the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, a position in which he helped negotiate the US–Taliban deal that set the stage for the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan. He remained in that role under President Joe Biden until October 2021.

Early Life

Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzad was born on March 22, 1951, in Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in northern Afghanistan. He grew up in Kabul, the Afghan capital, during a period of relative stability in the country. Details of his early family life remain limited in public records, though it is known that he was raised in an ethnic Pashtun family.

As a young man, Khalilzad left Afghanistan to come to the United States as a high school exchange student. This experience proved formative, exposing him to American political culture and institutions and setting the stage for his long career in U.S. foreign policy. After completing his secondary education in the United States, Khalilzad pursued higher education, eventually becoming a naturalized American citizen. His trajectory from a student in Kabul to one of the most influential American diplomats of the early 21st century would come to symbolize both the opportunities available through educational exchange programs and the complex entanglement of American and Afghan affairs over the course of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Education

Khalilzad attended the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, where he pursued undergraduate studies. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Chicago, where he earned his doctorate. At Chicago, Khalilzad studied under Albert Wohlstetter, a prominent strategist affiliated with the RAND Corporation who was influential in American nuclear strategy and defense policy during the Cold War. Wohlstetter's mentorship proved significant for Khalilzad's intellectual development and helped shape his approach to national security and foreign policy analysis. The University of Chicago's program provided Khalilzad with a rigorous grounding in political science and international relations, preparing him for subsequent roles in government and policy circles.

Career

Reagan Administration and Early Policy Work

Khalilzad's career in American government began during the Reagan administration in the 1980s, when he served in the United States Department of State. In this capacity, he was involved in advising on the U.S. response to the Soviet–Afghan War, which had begun with the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The conflict was a defining front in the Cold War, and American support for the Afghan mujahideen resistance was a major element of the Reagan Doctrine. Khalilzad's expertise on Afghanistan and the broader region made him a valued analyst and advisor during this period.

His work in the State Department provided him with direct experience in the intersection of American strategic interests and the politics of South and Central Asia. Khalilzad's understanding of Afghan tribal politics, regional dynamics, and the geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union positioned him as one of a small number of American officials with deep knowledge of Afghanistan—a role that would become increasingly important in the decades to come.

Think Tanks and Consulting

Following his service in the Reagan administration, Khalilzad moved between government, academia, and the policy world. He served as a counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), one of Washington's prominent foreign policy think tanks. He also was affiliated with the RAND Corporation, where he contributed research and analysis on defense and international security issues.

Khalilzad later established himself in the private sector, serving as president of Gryphon Partners and founding Khalilzad Associates, an international business consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. He also was listed among supporters of the Atlantic Council, a prominent international affairs think tank.

Bush Administration: Special Envoy and Ambassador to Afghanistan

Following the September 11 attacks in 2001 and the subsequent United States invasion of Afghanistan, Khalilzad was appointed as the special presidential envoy to Afghanistan by President George W. Bush. In this role, he was deeply involved in the effort to establish a post-Taliban government in Kabul and to coordinate U.S. diplomatic activity in the country. His appointment reflected both his expertise on Afghan affairs and his standing within the Republican foreign policy establishment.

In December 2002, Khalilzad was involved in the U.S. government's broader policy coordination on Afghanistan, as documented in White House communications of the period.

In January 2003, Khalilzad testified before the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) at a hearing titled "Reconstructing Afghanistan: Freedom In Crisis." In his testimony, he addressed the state of religious freedom and the broader challenges of reconstruction in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

On September 2, 2004, Khalilzad was formally appointed as the 15th United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, succeeding Robert Finn. As ambassador, he oversaw a critical period in the country's political development, including the lead-up to Afghanistan's first presidential election under its new constitution. He worked closely with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and various Afghan political factions. His tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen the fledgling Afghan government, coordinate international aid and reconstruction, and manage the complex relationships between tribal leaders, warlords, and the central government in Kabul. He served in this post until June 20, 2005, when he was succeeded by Ronald E. Neumann.

Ambassador to Iraq

On June 21, 2005, Khalilzad was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Iraq, succeeding John Negroponte. He took up the position at a time of intense sectarian violence, political uncertainty, and a growing insurgency against the U.S.-led coalition forces. His appointment was seen as a recognition of his diplomatic skills, particularly his experience in helping to build a new political order in a post-conflict environment, as he had done in Afghanistan.

As ambassador to Iraq, Khalilzad was centrally involved in the process of drafting the Iraqi constitution and in mediating among Iraq's Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish factions. He engaged with Iraqi political leaders across the sectarian spectrum and sought to encourage the formation of a broadly inclusive government. His diplomatic approach involved direct engagement with a wide range of Iraqi actors, including some with ties to Iran.

Khalilzad's tenure in Baghdad was covered extensively by international media. The Guardian reported on his diplomatic maneuvers, including his interactions with Iranian officials and his role in navigating the complex political landscape of occupied Iraq.

He served as ambassador to Iraq until March 26, 2007, when he was succeeded by Ryan Crocker. In February 2007, shortly before leaving Baghdad, the White House announced his nomination to a new role.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations

On April 30, 2007, Khalilzad assumed the position of 26th United States Ambassador to the United Nations, succeeding John Bolton. His appointment came at a time when the United States faced significant diplomatic challenges at the United Nations, including debates over the situations in Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and Darfur. As the U.S. representative at the UN, Khalilzad was responsible for articulating and advancing American foreign policy positions in the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly.

Khalilzad served at the United Nations under both Presidents George W. Bush and, briefly, Barack Obama, until January 22, 2009. He was succeeded by Susan Rice, Obama's nominee. During his tenure, Khalilzad was involved in negotiations on a range of international issues, including sanctions against Iran's nuclear program and diplomatic responses to various conflicts.

The Economist reported on Khalilzad's role at the UN, noting his diplomatic approach and the challenges he faced in representing U.S. interests in a multilateral forum.

Private Sector and Political Considerations

After leaving government service in 2009, Khalilzad returned to the private sector. He continued to serve as president of Khalilzad Associates, his Washington-based consulting firm, and remained an active commentator on foreign policy issues, particularly those related to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the broader Middle East.

In 2014, Khalilzad was rumored to be a potential candidate in the 2014 Afghan presidential election. Media outlets, including Afghanistan's Pajhwok Afghan News, reported on speculation about his candidacy. Ultimately, Khalilzad did not enter the race. His potential candidacy raised questions about dual nationality and eligibility under Afghan electoral law.

In 2017, Khalilzad was considered by President Donald Trump for the position of United States Secretary of State, though the nomination ultimately went to Rex Tillerson.

U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation

On September 5, 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Khalilzad as the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, a newly created position tasked with leading American diplomatic efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with the Taliban. He formally assumed the role on September 21, 2018.

In this capacity, Khalilzad conducted extensive negotiations with Taliban representatives, primarily in Doha, Qatar. These talks culminated in the US–Taliban deal, formally titled the "Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan," signed on February 29, 2020. The agreement set a timeline for the withdrawal of American and coalition forces from Afghanistan in exchange for Taliban commitments on counterterrorism, intra-Afghan negotiations, and a reduction in violence. The deal was one of the most significant and controversial diplomatic agreements in the history of the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.

Khalilzad continued in the role under President Joe Biden, who took office in January 2021. The Biden administration maintained the framework of the agreement, ultimately completing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The withdrawal was marked by chaotic scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport and the rapid collapse of the Afghan government as the Taliban seized control of the country.

Khalilzad's role in the negotiations and the subsequent fall of Kabul drew significant scrutiny and criticism. He departed the position on October 19, 2021, and was succeeded by Thomas West.

Post-Government Activities

Following his departure from government, Khalilzad continued to be active in foreign policy commentary and engagement. He made several visits to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, including at least four trips to Kabul since August 2021, as reported by Amu TV in December 2025. These visits attracted attention and controversy; the United States Department of State stated in January 2026 that Khalilzad "does not represent the United States," distancing the government from his meetings with Taliban officials.

In December 2025, Khalilzad commented on the inauguration of a new U.S. consulate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, stating that it underscored the "growing strategic importance" of the region. He described the development as a significant diplomatic milestone. He also commented favorably on the conduct of Iraqi elections in November 2025.

Khalilzad also engaged in public disputes with Afghan political figures, including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-e Islami, as reported by Hasht-e Subh Daily in September 2025.

A January 2026 opinion piece in Eurasia Review described Khalilzad's public statements about his visits to Afghanistan as "an attempt to rewrite history," reflecting the ongoing debate about his legacy and the consequences of the U.S.–Taliban agreement.

Personal Life

Khalilzad is married to Cheryl Benard, an Austrian-American author and political analyst who has written on issues related to the Muslim world, women's rights, and immigration. Benard is the founder of the RAND Corporation's Initiative for Middle Eastern Youth and has authored several books. The couple has two children.

Khalilzad resides in the Washington, D.C. area. As one of the most prominent Afghan Americans in public life, he has navigated complex questions of identity, frequently operating at the intersection of Afghan and American political cultures. His personal background—having been born in Afghanistan and educated in Lebanon and the United States—has informed his approach to diplomacy, particularly in his understanding of the cultural and political dynamics of the countries in which he served.

His engagement with Afghan political figures and continued visits to Kabul even after leaving government suggest an ongoing personal connection to the country of his birth, though his precise motivations for these visits have been the subject of public debate.

Recognition

As the first Afghan-born American to serve as a U.S. ambassador, Khalilzad's career represents a notable chapter in the history of American diplomacy. His appointments as ambassador to three of the most consequential postings during the War on Terror—Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Nations—were historically unusual and reflected the high degree of trust placed in him by the Bush administration.

Khalilzad's diplomatic work was the subject of extensive media coverage. He participated in interviews on major platforms, including Charlie Rose. His career was profiled by major news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg News.

Legacy

Khalilzad's legacy is shaped primarily by his roles in the U.S. engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, two of the most consequential and contested foreign policy undertakings of the early 21st century. As ambassador to both countries during periods of nation-building, he was instrumental in efforts to establish new governmental structures, mediate among competing factions, and coordinate international support.

His negotiation of the U.S.–Taliban deal in 2020 remains his most debated accomplishment. Supporters of the agreement argued that it provided a path to ending America's longest war, while critics contended that the deal's terms effectively legitimized the Taliban and contributed to the rapid collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021. The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return of Taliban rule prompted questions about the agreement's terms and whether adequate safeguards had been built into the deal.

The U.S. State Department's 2026 statement that Khalilzad "does not represent the United States" during his continued private visits to Kabul marked an unusual public distancing of a former senior diplomat, underscoring the complexity of his post-government relationship with both American and Afghan political actors.

Khalilzad's career spans a period in which the United States was deeply and continuously involved in Afghanistan—from the covert support of the mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War in the 1980s, through the post-9/11 intervention and nation-building effort, to the negotiated withdrawal and Taliban return to power. Few American officials have been as closely associated with the arc of this involvement. Whether viewed as a skilled negotiator who operated in extraordinarily difficult circumstances or as a figure whose agreements contributed to outcomes he did not intend, Khalilzad's place in the history of American foreign policy in Central and South Asia is significant.