Jump to content

John Abizaid

From Alfawiki
John Philip Abizaid
Born (1951-04-01) April 1, 1951 (age 75)
Redwood City, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)United States Army general, diplomat
Years active1973–2007 (military), 2019–2021 (diplomatic)
Known forCommander of United States Central Command, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

John Philip Abizaid (born April 1, 1951) is a retired general of the United States Army and a former commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). He also served as the United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2019 until 2021.

After concluding a 34-year military career in 2007, Abizaid became a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and held the Distinguished Chair at the Combating Terrorism Center located at West Point. In 2008, he joined the board of directors for RPM International and also became a member of the Defense Ventures Group board. That same year, Dartmouth College honored him as a Montgomery Fellow.

Abizaid was nominated for the role of U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in November 2018. The Senate confirmed his appointment in April 2019, and he officially presented his credentials to King Salman in June 2019. He stepped down from this position in January 2021. Presently, he serves as a senior advisor with Albright Stonebridge Group.

Early life and education

Born in Redwood City, California, Abizaid hails from a family of Lebanese Maronite Catholics, whose ancestors emigrated from Lebanon during the 19th century. He grew up in Coleville, California, completing high school in 1969. Following the death of his mother from cancer, he was raised by his father, a World War II Navy machinist.

His military training includes graduation from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York (Class of 1973), completion of Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, attendance at the Armed Forces Staff College, and participation in a Senior Fellowship at the U.S. Army War College hosted by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

In terms of civilian education, Abizaid earned a Master of Arts degree in Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University and was an Olmsted Scholar at the University of Jordan in Amman. His defense policy analysis on Saudi Arabia during his time at Harvard received commendation from Nadav Safran, then director of the Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

Career

Commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduating from West Point in 1973, Abizaid initially served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, where he held roles as rifle and scout platoon leader. He later commanded companies within both the 2nd and 1st Ranger Battalions and led a Ranger Rifle Company during the Grenada invasion. In 1983, he employed an innovative tactic involving armored bulldozers against Cuban forces.

During the Persian Gulf War, he led the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Regiment combat team and subsequently deployed to Northern Iraq to safeguard Kurdish communities.

Abizaid’s brigade command included leading the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He served as Assistant Division Commander for the 1st Armored Division during operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and later became the 66th Commandant at West Point, where he implemented reforms targeting hazing practices and updated academic programs. He commanded the renowned 1st Infantry Division ("Big Red One") based in Germany and led initial U.S. ground forces into Kosovo. Additionally, he acted as Deputy Commander (Forward) for U.S. Central Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His staff assignments encompassed roles such as Operations Officer for the UN Observer Group in Lebanon; positions within the Southern European Task Force and U.S. Army Europe; Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5); and Director of the Joint Staff.

Following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein after the Iraq War, Abizaid succeeded General Tommy Franks as commander of U.S. Central Command. In 2003, he opted not to pursue consideration for Army Chief of Staff.

On December 20, 2006, it was announced that Abizaid would retire in March 2007 after extending his service period at Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's request. On March 16, 2007, he handed over command to Admiral William J. Fallon, marking his tenure as CENTCOM commander longer than any before him.

On September 8, 2016, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter appointed Abizaid as an advisor to Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak.

His nomination for U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia came on November 13, 2018; he was confirmed by the Senate on April 10, 2019; sworn into office on April 30; and presented his credentials to King Salman on June 16, 2019.

Personal life

Abizaid is married and has three children, one of whom is Christine Abizaid. He acquired proficiency in Arabic during his tenure in the military.

Global War on Terrorism address

In November 2005, Abizaid presented a speech regarding the Global War on Terrorism at the Naval War College.

Comments on Iraq from 2006 to 2007

On August 3, 2006, Abizaid appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee, warning that the sectarian violence in Baghdad was intense and could potentially drive Iraq into civil war if left unchecked. Despite this, he maintained a hopeful outlook that such an outcome could be avoided.

Bob Woodward's perspective on Abizaid and Murtha

According to State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III (excerpted in Newsweek), journalist Bob Woodward recounted that on March 16, 2006, Abizaid testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee with a cautiously optimistic view of the situation in Iraq. Subsequently, he met with Congressman John Murtha (D-Pa), who advocated for troop withdrawal from Iraq. Abizaid conveyed that their positions were "that far apart," illustrating this by holding his thumb and forefinger closely together.

Woodward reiterated this narrative during a 60 Minutes interview with reporter Mike Wallace on October 1, 2006.

Iran's nuclear ambitions

At a discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on September 17, 2007, Abizaid stressed the importance of urging both the global community and Iran to cease nuclear weapons development, stating, "We should not preclude any option to deal with it." He expressed confidence in deterrence capabilities, remarking, "I believe that we have the power to deter Iran, should it become nuclear."

Abizaid further observed that "There are ways to live with a nuclear Iran," referencing historical examples of coexistence with nuclear-armed states such as the Soviet Union and China.

Awards and decorations

Abizaid's distinguished military career has been honored with a variety of awards and decorations that highlight his leadership and operational proficiency:

Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices
Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices
Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices
Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
Badge Master Parachutist Badge
with 1 combat jump star


International honors

Further reading

External links



|-

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=John_Abizaid&oldid=95206"