United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
{{Short description|Former office of the United States Department of State}}
The United States special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) was a position in the State Department that reported directly to the secretary of state. The Office of the Special Representative's purpose was to coordinate the department's activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), in conjunction with increased numbers of troops during the Obama presidency.{{cite news | url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-shutters-special-representative-for-afghanistan-pakistan-office/4079919.html | title=US Shutters Special Representative for Afghanistan-Pakistan Office | newspaper=Voa | last1=Azhar | first1=Aman }}
Under the Trump administration, it became the position of the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation (SRAR). Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was appointed to the post in September 2018, and stepped down following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Deputy special representative Thomas West took his place and has served as special representative for Afghanistan since October 20, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/18/politics/zalmay-khalilzad-afghanistan-stepping-down/index.html|title=US envoy for Afghanistan steps down following chaotic evacuation|first1=Alex|last1=Marquardt|first2=Paul|last2=LeBlanc|work=CNN|date=October 19, 2021|access-date=October 20, 2021}}
Former special envoys
- Richard Holbrooke (22 January 2009–13 December 2010)
- Marc Grossman (22 February 2011–14 December 2012)
- James Dobbins (10 May 2013–31 July 2014)
- Dan Feldman (1 August 2014–18 September 2015)
- Jarrett Blanc {{small|(Acting)}} (18 September 2015–17 November 2015)
- Richard G. Olson (17 November 2015–November 2016)
- Laurel Miller {{small|(Acting)}} (November 2016–1 June 2017){{cite web | url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/title/as/196521.htm | title=Afghanistan and Pakistan (Special Representative): Laurel Miller (Acting) }}
- Alice Wells {{small|(Acting)}} (2017){{cite web | url=https://www.tnn.com.pk/us-names-alice-wells-as-special-representative-for-afghanistan-and-pakistan/ | title=US names Alice Wells as Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan | TNN | date=23 July 2017 }}
- Zalmay Khalilzad (September 2018–October 2021){{Cite web |title=Zalmay Khalilzad, Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation |url=https://www.state.gov/biographies/zalmay-khalilzad/ |website=U.S. Department of State}}
- Thomas West (1 October 2021–1 October 2024){{Cite web |title=Thomas West, Special Representative for Afghanistan |url=https://www.state.gov/biographies/thomas-west/ |website=U.S. Department of State}}[https://2021-2025.state.gov/people/thomas-west/]
References
{{cite news|url=https://www.khaama.com/richard-olson-appointed-as-u-s-special-representative-for-afghanistan-and-pakistan-3998/|title=Richard Olson appointed as U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan|newspaper=The Khaama Press News Agency |date=2015-10-16|access-date=2018-08-27}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.stimson.org/sites/default/files/RGO%20Bio%20FINAL.pdf|title=Richard G. Olson|access-date=2018-08-27}}
{{cite web|author=Marie Harf|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/230087.htm|title=Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Daniel Feldman Takes Office and Travels to Afghanistan|date=2014-08-01|access-date=2018-08-27}}
{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/730088/special-envoy-to-afghanistan-and-pakistan-to-leave-post/|title=Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan to step down|date=2014-07-02|access-date=2018-08-27}}
{{cite web |author=Grossman |first=Marc |title=A distinguished diplomat explores an evolving concept of diplomacy to meet the kaleidoscope of opportunities and challenges America faces. |url=http://www.afsa.org/diplomacy-21st-century-back-future |access-date=2018-08-27}}
{{cite web|author=Josh Rogin|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/11/27/state-department-af-pak-chief-stepping-down/|title=State Department Af-Pak chief stepping down|access-date=2018-08-27}}