Biographical Analysis Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad

Zalmay Khalilzad Inayet Hadi Emmy Glancy Melanie Jeremy

Agenda • • • • • • •

Personality Political Skills Technical Skills Management Skills Experience Situational Factors Strategic Sense

Personality 

“---wily conciliator, epitomizing a more flexible American policy:…”- Economist



“…Khalilzad formed lasting political bonds with likes of Wolfowitz…” - Right Web



“ …spent three days negotiating with malcontents, [the losers in the Afghan presidential election results]” - Newsweeking International



“Some people in Afghanistan call Khalilzad a dealmaker. The ambassador prefers the term ‘intermediary’” - Newsweek International

Personality 

“… helped broker a cease-fire on Tuesday in the four-day-long fighting in western Afghanistan…” The New York Times



“…a reputation for being able to work a crowed of turbaned sheiks at least as well as he works a meeting of Washington suits.” - Newsweek



“…particularly adept at navigating Afghanistan’s complex web of ethnic and tribal politics while also fending off dubious initiatives from Washington.” - Newsweek

Personality 

“…overseen a successful referendum, an election and the drafting of a constitution”Newsweek International



“…proven prowess in orchestrating the installation of the Hamid Karzai” - Washington Report on Middle East Affairs



“Mr. Khalilzad flew to Jordan for some of the talks [with supposed Iraqi opposition groups]” - The New York Times

Personality 

“Mr. Khalilzad heartily engaged in backroom deal making, [at the UN]” - The New York Times



“We’ll work together day and night until we finish the job.” Time



“’getting my hands dirty in the grubby aspects of politics and policymaking’” - Time



“…he brings [enthusiasm and savvy] to the world’s toughest job”- Time

Political Skills 



Experienced 

“It is essential that the United States have one of our best diplomats leading our mission in Baghdad.” –Condoleeza Rice



foreign policy elite since the early 1980’s.



career began as an advisor for U.S. policies toward the Middle East

Knowledgeable 

“Khalizad’s exceptionally thorough knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs is perhaps the most important resource for the reconstruction of Iraq.” –Current Biography Magazine



Proximity to the issue helped to gain the approval of the Afghan leaders.

Political Skills •

Consensus Builder 

“It is essential that the United States have one of our best diplomats leading our mission in Baghdad.” – Condoleeza Rice



career began as an advisor for U.S. policies toward the Middle East



“The President and I have chosen Zal for this job because he has a proven record of building consensus and achieving results in very tough situations.” – Condoleeza Rice

Political Skills Charismatic  “Leaders in the U.S. and other countries were impressed by Khalizad’s ability to represent U.S. interests effectively without appearing unsympathetic to those in the Middle East.” –Current Biography Magazine 

Friendly and Informal



Cultivates personal relationships with other leaders.



Style has helped to diminish bitterness toward the U.S.

Political Skills 

Realistic “Oh it’s a disappointment, not a significant setback. Look, Iraqis are in the Middle of a conflict, a disagreement among people about the future of the constitution that’s supposed to bring them together.” – Khalilzad 

“You know, we should remember that it took us many years to put our own constitution together and they’re in a much more difficult circumstance than we were.” –Zalmay Khalilzad 

Understood that the Iraq constitution was more of a peace treaty and that what he had to produce was a road map tp avoid a future civil war. 

Technical Skills •

Academic •

Extensively studied the Middle East, Asia

Strategist Think Tank experience “a broad-minded pragmatist and an insightful strategist”—Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor (Carter Administration)Academic •

Technical Skills • Diplomat •Strong ability to forge compromises •Speaks English, Arab, Dari •“Zalmay presents himself as from the region”—Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraqi Vice President •Noted as a poor public speaker, but amazing “one-on-one”

Technical Skills Take-aways: Importance of forging a career path that hones technical skills in a particular area of interest while not closing doors to other paths Understanding weaknesses, playing to strengths

Management Skills “If confirmed, I will work with all Iraqis, all sects, all ethnic groups, men and women, to accelerate success in Iraq.” – ZK 

Well-informed  “He has a unique advantage in a part of the world in which the United States has become massively engaged.” –Current Biography Magazine 



Reputation as a strategic political thinker with a deep understanding of Middle Eastern Politics.

Persuasive 

“He had to flatter Iraqi Politicians’ wish to be in control of their own destiny even as he coaxed and cajoled them into doing what Washington wanted

Management Skills 

Resourceful:  “The diversity of sects, political parties and personalities gathered in the grand room was a promise of his vision for Iraq.” –Solomon Moore  Seeks diverse relationships  daily briefings



Pragmatic:  “I will work with all Iraqis, all sects, all ethnic groups, men and women, to accelerate success in Iraq.” Zalmay Khalizad  Sets realistic goals.  Diplomatic style is polished and practical.

Management Skills 

Effective  “I will be results oriented and I will give this new assignment my all.” –Zalmay Khalizad 

Helped Afghan refugees return home and rebuild their lives in freedom.



Helped to secure the rights of Afghan women.



Organized elections in Afghanistan and Iraq.



Helped build a coalition government in Iraq.

Experience Federal Government 

US Ambassador to the United Nations - Apr. 2007 to present



US Ambassador to Iraq - June 2005 to Mar. 2007



US Ambassador and Special Presidential Envoy to Afghanistan - Nov. 2003 to June 2005



US National Security council, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Islamic Outreach, Southwest Asia Initiatives - 2001-2003



Special Presidential Envoy to the Free Iraqis - 2002-3

Experience Federal Government 

US Defense Department, Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Policy Planning 1991-92



US State Department,Special Advisor to the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (1985-89)



Fellowship with the State Department, worked for Paul Wolfowitz 1984, then director of Policy Planning

Experience Think Tanks / Non-Profit 

Cambridge Energy Research Associates Consultant to Unocal , negotiating with the Taliban to approve the construction of a $2 billion pipeline.



Council on Foreign Relations - sponsored a one year fellowship at the State Department 1984



Project for the New American Century, charter signatory of the statement of principle. 1997

Experience Think Tanks / Non-Profit 

Rand Corporation, director of strategy and doctrines for the Project Air Force -1993-99; founded Greater Middle East Studies & served as board member of Afghanistan Foundation



Taught political science at University of California at San Diego, 1989-91



Assistant Professor at Political Science at Columbia University - 1979 to 1986. Developed a friendship with Zbigniew Brzezinski - “broadminded pragmatist and insightful strategist.”

Experience Activism 

Signed onto an open letter to President Clinton in 1998 to overthrow Saddam, which was prepared by Committee for Peace and Security in the Gulf, a spin off from the New American Century.

Situational Factors 

Opportunities



Arab background



Assistant Professor at Political Science at Columbia University - 1979 to 1986. 

Developed important friendship with Zbigniew Brzezinski



Political and policy domain very open



Large amount of resources

Situational Factors 

Challenges 

    

Post 9/11 uneasiness of ethnicity, Arab ties and motivations, perhaps under closer scrutiny International bitterness toward US Political roadblocks set up by congress Policies that helped/impeded his success Low public image of Bush Administration Challenges posed by failure to “free” Iraq and poor public perception of work

Strategic Sense 

Devised plan to provide stinger missiles to the mujahedeen during Afghan/Soviet Union War  Showed U.S. involvement, commitment  Credited with undermining Soviet air dominance, and eventually, Soviet withdrawal



Called for shift in focus from Iran to Iraq at conclusion of Iran-Iraq war  Favored Saddam’s ousting after Gulf War I; again in 1998 as “an opportunity to do something bigger.”

Strategic Sense 

Mid-90’s—favored working with Taliban



Nixed plan to wipe out opium production in Afghanistan through aerial spraying  Understood plan would boost Taliban recruitment, lead to increased violence



a threat that could keep the superpowers, or the big powers, from going against each other, and get them to cooperate to deal with it. If it’s done correctly”—ZK



Take-aways:  Importance of understanding 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (+) order effects of decisions and actions

Strategic Sense 

Cultural awareness and sensitivity



Personal relationships are key factors in devising and executing strategies



Secure enough stability in Iraq to all for an American withdrawal  Brokered Constitutional compromise by bringing Sunni’s into political processStrategic Sense

“What the war on terror may have brought about—if it’s done right—is

Questions or Comments?