Fireside Discussion: "Navigating Foreign Policy Options for Afghanistan and Beyond"

The Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton SPIA hosts a timely discussion on U.S. foreign policy options in Afghanistan post-2021, addressing challenges like the Taliban’s resurgence, humanitarian crises, and regional security. Experts will examine U.S. engagement under the new administration, alongside the roles of neighboring countries like Iran, China, and Russia in shaping Afghanistan’s future.

Biography

General Mark A. Milley '80, Princeton SPIA Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor, served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. He retired Sept. 29, 2023.

Prior to becoming Chairman on October 1, 2019, General Milley served as the 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

A native of Massachusetts, General Milley graduated from Princeton University in 1980, where he received his commission from Army ROTC.

General Milley has had multiple command and staff positions in six divisions and a Special Forces Group throughout the last 44 years to include command of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division; the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; Deputy Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division; Commanding General, III Corps; and Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command.

While serving as the Commanding General, III Corps, General Milley deployed as the Commanding General, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Forces Afghanistan. General Milley's joint assignments also include the Joint Staff operations directorate and as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

General Milley's operational deployments include the Multi-National Force and Observers Task Force, Sinai, Egypt; Operation JUST CAUSE, Panama; Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, Haiti; Operation JOINT FORGE, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq; and three tours during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan. GEN Milley also deployed to Colombia, Somalia and served two years on the DMZ in the Republic of Korea.

In addition to his bachelor's degree in political science from Princeton University, General Milley has a master's degree in international relations from Columbia University and one from the U.S. Naval War College in national security and strategic studies. He is also a graduate of the MIT Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.

General Milley and his wife, Hollyanne, have been married for more than 38 years and have two children.

Ticket reservation will be available to those with a PU ID on Tuesday, 9/17 via the PU ticketing site- https://tickets.princeton.edu/Online/default.asp

Members of the general public will be able to reserve tickets starting 9/18 via the PU ticketing site.  

Tickets holders- tickets will be honored until 4:30PM when general admission begins.

There will be a wait line starting at 4 pm.

Sponsorship of an event does not constitute institutional endorsement of external speakers or views presented.