Former Ambassador/General Karl Eikenberry to Deliver Lecture on Afghanistan

Karl Eikenberry, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and Commanding General of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, will deliver a lecture titled "The End of America's Long War and the Future of Afghanistan" at Yale Law School on Thursday, April 10, 2014. The lecture will take place from 4:10-5:30 pm in Room 128, and is open to the Yale Community only.

Eikenberry had a 35-year career in the U.S. Army and served two tours in Afghanistan before retiring with a rank of Lieutenant General in 2009. From 2002-2003, he was U.S. Security Coordinator for Afghanistan and Chief of the Office of Military Cooperation in Afghanistan. During his second tour in Afghanistan, Eikenberry was Commander of the Combined Forces. In 2007 he was named Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

President Obama appointed Eikenberry as the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan in 2009. He served in that role until 2011 and led the civilian surge directed by President Obama to reverse insurgent momentum and set the conditions for transition to full Afghan sovereignty.

"Eikenberry has been at the center of the shaping and implementation of U.S. policies related to Afghanistan during key periods in both the Bush and Obama administrations," said Paul Gewirtz, Potter Stewart Professor of Constitutional Law and Director, The China Center. "This is a remarkable opportunity to hear a central player reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going."