General Mark Kimmitt, Brigadier General in the US Army and former Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs (GNAZ)
May 02, 2012, 6:00pm
Summary:
The Middle East is made up of intricate and complex sovereign states that remain a region of military conflict and struggle for freedom and democracy. On Wednesday, May 2nd General Mark Kimmitt, Brigadier General in the US Army and former Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs, will visit with Gen Next Arizona to offer perspective from the front lines of U.S. conflict and discuss his first-hand knowledge at the intersection of military strategy and global diplomacy. The General will indulge us for an off the record discussion on his experience and insights that have helped shaped U.S. policies aimed at ensuring stability in the Middle East and abroad.
Detail:
This Program is open to Members and Guests of Members only. Guest list strictly enforced. Must RSVP to attend.
When: May 2 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Arizona Biltmore Resort - 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix 85016
Dress: Business Casual
RSVP: Sarah
General Mark Kimmitt
The Honorable Mark T. Kimmitt served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs until January, 2009. In that capacity, he was responsible for all State Department political-military policy, with particular emphasis on security assistance and worldwide arms sales as well as serving as the primary liaison between the Departments of State and Defense.
From 2006 to 2008, Kimmitt served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Middle East. In this position, he was responsible for defense policy development, planning, guidance and oversight throughout for the region. He was involved in every key defense deliberation during that period, to include operations in Afghanistan, the change in US strategy for Iraq in 2006, negotiating the 2008 Status of Forces agreement with Iraq and leading DOD efforts to enhance security in the Middle East through the Gulf Security Dialogue.
From 2004 to 2006, Kimmitt served as Deputy Director for Plans and Strategy at the United States Central Command under General John Abizaid. In that position he held key responsibilities for military planning efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, theater-wide strategic planning, security assistance programs, and coordinated military efforts to bring NATO forces into combat operations in Afghanistan.
Kimmitt served for over 30 years as an officer in the United States Army in a wide variety of command and policy positions with extensive operational and combat experience abroad in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Korea, Germany, and Belgium. Prior to retiring with the rank of Brigadier General in 2007, his assignments included Deputy Director of Strategy and Plans at United States Central Command from 2004 to 2006 and Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Military Spokesman for Coalition Forces in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. He led soldiers, Rangers and paratroopers at every level of command within the United States Army Field Artillery.
He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He holds a Masters Degree (with Distinction) from the Harvard Business School. He also earned Masters Degrees from the School of Advanced Military Studies and the National Defense University, and a professional certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He served as Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics in the Department of Social Sciences at the United States Military Academy. His recent publications include Losing the War of Exhaustion (Foreign Policy.com, September 2009), Quiet Dogs in Iraq (Middle East Strategy at Harvard.com, September 2009) and War Games (The American Interest, July-August 2009).