Today: 28 October 2025
19 October 2021
2 mins read

US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad steps down

Khalilzad, a leading US diplomat of Afghan-origin, has long been a controversial figure for his involvement in Washington’s ‘War on Terror’….reports Asian Lite News

Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation since September 2018, has stepped down, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.

Taking to Twitter on Monday night, Blinken said: “Thank you to Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for decades of tireless service to the United States. Pleased to welcome Thomas West to the role of Special Representative for Afghanistan.”

TOLO News shared Khalilzad’s resignation letter to Blinken, in which the former diplomat wrote: “Today, our forces are out, the war is finally over for the United States and the very high financial costs of this engagement can now be directed to other vital needs. However, the political arrangement between the Afghan government and the Taliban did not go forward as envisaged.

“The reasons for this are too complex and I will share my thoughts in the coming days and weeks, after leaving government service.”

The move came two months after the hasty withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

“I am of course saddened on behalf of the Afghan people that, despite our best efforts and extensive shuttle diplomacy on my part and that of the team as well as much urging from the international community, the Afghans failed to make use of this opportunity to end their 40-year conflict in a constructive spirit and with a fair compromise,” Khalilzad added in the leader.

Khalilzad, a leading US diplomat of Afghan-origin, has long been a controversial figure for his involvement in Washington’s ‘War on Terror’.

He also led Washington’s talks with the Taliban, which many see as the main precursor to the Pashtun-dominated group’s lightning victory in Afghanistan, TRT World reported.

After the Taliban’s surprisingly quick victory against the US-trained Afghan army, many government operators and experts can’t help but speculate on Washington’s role, particularly that of Khalilzad, in the Afghan group’s return to power.

Some other experts further believe that Khalilzad pursued a “special political agenda” to promote his personal and family interests.

“One man responsible for the chaos and destruction raging across Afghanistan is Zalmay Khalilzad. He should be investigated for alleged financial corruption,” says Kamal Alam, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

In 2014, Khalilzad’s finances were subject to an Austrian investigation which froze his wife’s accounts in the European country based on information from the US Department of Justice that he was suspected of money laundering related to business activities in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“This man wanted to be the president of Afghanistan. He ran to be the president of Afghanistan. No one likes him. Everyone hates him,” Alam tells TRT World.

ALSO READ: Cracks in the wall of Taliban fortress

Previous Story

Expo 2020 welcomed 771, 477 ticketed visits

Next Story

US skips Russia’s Afghan talks

Latest from -Top News

Gazans Struggle to Revive Life

Today, Gaza’s markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempt to arrange what remains of their goods on

GAZA AID: MSF raps Israel

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Israel Continues to Use Aid as a Weapon of War Against Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel

Qatar Emir Meets Trump

HH the Amir welcomed HE the US President and his accompanying delegation, expressing his pleasure at meeting the President during his stopover in Qatar…reports Asian Lite News HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim

Abu Dhabi leads future of food innovation

Global Food Week 2025 cements Abu Dhabi’s leadership in food innovation, uniting 75 countries to showcase sustainable agriculture, cutting-edge technologies, and women-led enterprises driving future food security….reports Asian Lite News Global Food

UAE reshapes AI council

The newly reconstituted Council will be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as Vice-Chairman….reports Asian Lite
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Taliban highly unlikely to get UN seat

It is doubtful that the Taliban foreign minister will be

First consignment of Afghan goods exported after Taliban takeover

Onions, potatoes, saffron, figs, dried fruits, and handicrafts were among