John Abizaid
John Philip Abizaid (born April 1, 1951) is a retired United States Army general and former United States Central Command (CENTCOM) commander who served as the United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2021.
John Abizaid | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia | |
| In office June 16, 2019 – January 20, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Joseph W. Westphal |
| Succeeded by | Michael Ratney |
| 8th Commander of the United States Central Command | |
| In office July 7, 2003 – March 16, 2007 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Tommy Franks |
| Succeeded by | William J. Fallon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1, 1951 Redwood City, California, U.S. |
| Children | 3, including Christine |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (MA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1973–2007 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Central Command United States Military Academy 1st Infantry Division 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Grenada War Gulf War Bosnian War Kosovo War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (6) Bronze Star Medal Officer of the Order of Australia |
In 2007, Abizaid retired after 34 years of service. As of 2007, Abizaid is employed as a fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He assumed the Distinguished Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point in December 2007. Abizaid was appointed to the board of directors of RPM International on January 24, 2008, and also sits on the board of directors of the Defense Ventures Group. In 2008, he was selected as a Montgomery Fellow at Dartmouth College.
On November 13, 2018, he was nominated as the United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He was confirmed by the United States Senate as ambassador on April 10, 2019, and sworn in on April 30, 2019. Abizaid formally presented his credentials to King Salman on June 16, 2019. He resigned on January 20, 2021. He now serves as senior advisor at Albright Stonebridge Group.