By: Mark Leon Goldberg on May 27, 2014 Zalmay Khalizad is on the line this week. The Afghan native served as US ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations under George W. Bush. Ambassador Khalilzad discusses coming to the USA at the age of 15, how a chance encounter in grad school changed his career path, and how he helped shape US policy during the Iran-Iraq war. The conversation kicks off with a discussion of Afghan president Hamid Karzai’s legacy and America’s legacy of violence in Iraq. Have a listen. And subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. Previous episodes Why Libya is Suddenly on the Verge of a Civil War Episode 17: Gov Bill Richardson, he frees hostages. The Foreign Policy Implications of India’s Elections Episode 16: Carolyn Miles, CEO of Save the Children What Boko Haram Wants Episode: 15 Laura Turner Seydel, philanthropist Episode 14: Douglas Ollivant, Iraq expert Episode 13: Gary Bass, historian Episode 12: Mark Montgomery, demographer Episode 11: Kenneth Roth, Human Rights Watcher Episode 10: Live from the UN, Volume 2. Episode 9: Mia Farrow, humanitarian activist and Goodwill Ambassador Episode 8: Suzanne Nossel, Big Thinker Episode 7: Live from the UN, Volume 1. Episode 6: PJ Crowley, former State Department Spokesperson Episode 5: Octavia Nasr, reporter Episode 4: Arsalan Iftikhar, “The Muslim Guy” Episode 3: Dodge Billingsley, filmmaker. Episode 2: Laura Seay, @TexasinAfrica Episode 1: Heather Hurlburt, national security wonk