Former US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad Criticizes Post‑9/11 Afghanistan and Iraq Policies

Former U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as the nation’s top diplomat in both Afghanistan and Iraq, voiced reservations about how the United States conducted its military engagements in the two countries. Speaking at a recent security symposium in Washington, Khalilzad said the wars were marked by “strategic missteps” that hindered the establishment of stable governance and prolonged conflict, noting that insufficient coordination with local partners and delayed political transitions contributed to enduring instability.

Khalilzad emphasized that the lessons learned from Afghanistan and Iraq should inform future U.S. foreign‑policy decisions, urging policymakers to prioritize clear exit strategies, robust diplomatic outreach, and comprehensive post‑conflict reconstruction plans. He concluded that a reassessment of past approaches is essential to avoid repeating errors in upcoming regional interventions.