America's war in Afghanistan has lasted almost two decades - the longest conflict in U.S. history. Unquestionably, there have been marked improvements in Afghanistan's governance, education, and health care since Taliban's harsh rule ended in 2001.  Yet progress has been slow and uneven, while politics and security remain fragile. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, a member of the Schwarzman College faculty, who served as both America's top diplomat and military commander in Afghanistan, will discuss the factors that have frustrated efforts to achieve stability in that country and assess the prospects for a lasting peace settlement.

Karl Eikenberry, while at Stanford University from 2011 to 2019, was the Director of the U.S.-Asia Security Initiative and a Professor of Practice. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2009 until 2011, and had a 35-year career in the United States Army, retiring with the rank of lieutenant general. His military assignments included postings with mechanized, light, airborne, and ranger infantry units in the United States, Korea, Italy, and Afghanistan as the Commander of the American-led Coalition forces.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, earned master’s degrees from Harvard University in East Asian Studies and Stanford University in Political Science, was awarded an Interpreter’s Certificate in Mandarin Chinese from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and has an advanced degree in Chinese History from Nanjing University.

Ambassador Eikenberry is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and co-directs the Academy’s project on civil wars and international responses. He serves as a Trustee for The Asia Foundation and American Councils for International Education.

Guests from both Tsinghua and other universities may register for this event by scanning the QR code. Attendees must show their confirmed reservation and valid university ID to access this event. Attendees will be admitted to Schwarzman College on condition that they adhere to all building and event policies. This event is not open to members of the media and will be held off the record. No attributions or descriptions of this event may be published or shared online without the written consent of both Tsinghua University and Schwarzman College. This lecture will be delivered in English.