John R. Allen
John Rutherford Allen (born December 15, 1953) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general, and former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A). On September 13, 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Allen as special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). He was succeeded in that role by Brett McGurk on October 23, 2015. He is the co-author of Turning Point: Policymaking in the Era of Artificial Intelligence with Darrell M. West (Brookings Institution Press, 2020) and Future War and the Defence of Europe alongside Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges and Professor Julian Lindley French (Oxford University Press, 2021). Allen was president of the Brookings Institution from October 2017 until his resignation on June 12, 2022.
John Allen | |
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President of the Brookings Institution | |
In office November 6, 2017 – June 12, 2022 On leave: June 8, 2022 – June 12, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Strobe Talbott |
Succeeded by | Ted Gayer (acting) |
Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant | |
In office September 16, 2014 – October 23, 2015 | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Brett McGurk |
Commander of the International Security Assistance Force | |
In office July 18, 2011 – February 10, 2013 | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | David Petraeus |
Succeeded by | Joseph Dunford |
Commander of United States Central Command | |
Acting | |
In office June 30, 2010 – August 11, 2010 | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | David Petraeus |
Succeeded by | James Mattis |
Personal details | |
Born | December 15, 1953 Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Georgetown University (MA) National Intelligence University (MS) National Defense University (MS) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1976–2013 |
Rank | General |
Commands | International Security Assistance Force United States Forces Afghanistan United States Central Command (Deputy Commander) 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines The Basic School United States Naval Academy – Commandant of Midshipmen II Marine Expeditionary Force |
Battles/wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Leftwich Leadership Trophy |