General John Abizaid is a retired four-star U.S. Army General, and the former and longest-serving Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) (July, 2003-March, 2007). In that capacity, he was responsible for political-military strategy to advance U.S. national policy goals in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia. As Commander CENTCOM, he was responsible for all military operations and activities in twenty-seven nations. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, General Abizaid led and commanded both joint and combined military units at every level, serving in Grenada, Lebanon, Kurdistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In 2019, he was appointed United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In his civilian studies, General Abizaid earned a Master of Arts Degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University. Early in his career, he was awarded an Olmsted Scholarship and studied at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. In May, 2007, he was named the first Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is widely considered an expert in the field of Middle Eastern Affairs. He is Chair Emeritus of the Middle East Institute’s Board of Governors. Born in Redwood City, California and raised in Coleville, California, General Abizaid is now the principal partner of JPA Partners, LLC, a firm that advises private, business, government and academic clients.
Monterey Marriott - Ferrantes Bay View Room
350 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA 93940
11:30 am Registration, Noon Luncheon, 12:45 - 2:00 pm Program
$75 Member - $90 Non-Member
Register by Tuesday, November 10th, 2026
