John Philip Abizaid Retired American General Date of Birth: 01.04.1951 Country: USA

Biography of John Philip Abizaid

John Philip Abizaid, also known as the "Mad Arab," was born on April 1, 1951, in Coleville, Northern California, USA. He is a retired American general and recipient of the Order of Australia. Abizaid grew up in a Catholic family with Arab heritage. After his mother passed away from cancer, his father, a World War II veteran, raised him.

Abizaid received his military education at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, graduating in the class of 1973. He furthered his military training at the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), and the U.S. Army War College Senior Fellowship at the Hoover Institution. Additionally, he earned a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University, impressing the head of the Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies with his work on Saudi Arabian defense policy.

Abizaid began his military career as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Regiment after graduating from West Point. He served in various positions, commanding ranger battalions during the invasion of Grenada and commanding the 3rd Battalion of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment in Vicenza, Italy, during the Persian Gulf War. He also commanded the 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One" in Würzburg, Germany, and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After the Iraq War in 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein, Abizaid assumed command of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) from Tommy Franks. He announced his retirement in December 2006, with plans to step down in March 2007 but continued to serve for some time. He passed on the command to Admiral William Fallon on March 16, 2007. Abizaid later delivered a speech at the Naval War College on counterterrorism, which gained attention when a student recorded and sent it to top military officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Army, Peter Schoomaker.

Throughout his career, Abizaid emphasized the need to prevent violence on religious grounds and promote international cooperation. He expressed optimism in preventing Iraq from descending into civil war but also acknowledged the challenges and the importance of working with the international community, including Iran, to address nuclear weapons proliferation.

Aside from his military accomplishments, Abizaid is married and has three children. He learned Arabic during his time in the military. In addition to his retirement from the military, Abizaid has continued his involvement in various organizations, serving as a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a director at RPM International, a member of the Defense Ventures Group board of directors, and a Montgomery Fellow at Dartmouth College.