Editing Anthony Zinni

{{short description|American Marine Corps general}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image               = Anthony Zinni.jpg
| office              = [[United States Special Envoy]] for Qatar
| president           = [[Donald Trump]]
| term_start          = August 2017
| term_end            = January 2019
| predecessor         = 
| successor           = 
| office1             = [[United States Special Envoy]] for Middle East Peace
| president1          = [[George W. Bush]]
| term_start1         = November 27, 2001
| term_end1           = March 13, 2003
| predecessor1        = [[Dennis Ross]]
| successor1          = [[George J. Mitchell|George Mitchell]] {{small|(2009)}}
| birth_name          = Anthony Charles Zinni
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1943|9|17}}
| birth_place         = [[Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] {{small|(Formerly)}}<br />[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] {{small|(Formerly)}}<br />[[Independent politician|Independent]] {{small|(Currently)}}
| education           = [[Villanova University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br />[[Salve Regina University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br />[[Central Michigan University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])
| nickname            = "The Godfather"
| allegiance          = United States
| branch              = [[United States Marine Corps]]
| serviceyears        = 1965–2000
| rank                = [[General (United States)|General]]
| commands            = [[United States Central Command]]<br />[[I Marine Expeditionary Force]]<br />[[9th Marine Regiment (United States)|9th Marine Regiment]]<br />[[2nd Battalion, 8th Marines]]
| battles             = [[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Unified Task Force]]
| mawards             = {{nowrap|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (2)}}<br />[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Defense Superior Service Medal]]<br />[[Bronze Star Medal]] (2)<br />[[Purple Heart]]
}}

'''Anthony Charles Zinni''' (born September 17, 1943) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|general]] and a former Commander in Chief of the [[United States Central Command]] (CENTCOM). From 2001 to 2003, he served as a [[special envoy]] for the United States to [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinian Authority]]. From 2017 to 2019, he served as a special envoy to help resolve the [[Qatar diplomatic crisis]].

While serving as a special envoy, Zinni was also an instructor in the Department of International Studies at the [[Virginia Military Institute]]. He later served as an instructor at the [[Sanford School of Public Policy]] at [[Duke University]], a public speaker, and an author of best-selling books on his military career and foreign affairs, including ''Battle for Peace''. {{as of|2005}}, he was involved in the corporate world, joining M.I.C. Industries<ref>{{cite web |title=M.I.C. Industries, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of the Ultimate Building Machine (UBM) |url=http://www.micindustries.com/files/home.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128211834/http://www.micindustries.com/files/home.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |work=micindustries.com }}</ref> as its president for International Operations in 2005.

Zinni also serves or has served on the advisory boards of a number of companies, including the security testing firm, Mu Dynamics, based in Sunnyvale, California. He joined Duke University's [[Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy]] in spring 2008 as the Sanford Distinguished Lecturer in Residence and taught a new course in the Hart Leadership Program.<ref>[http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/news/features/zinni_teach.php Retired Marine General Anthony Zinni to teach for Hart Leadership] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516051043/http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/news/features/zinni_teach.php |date=May 16, 2008}} [[Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy]], [[Duke University]], October 11, 2007</ref><ref name=Moroney2007>{{cite news |last=Moroney |first=Sean |title=General will teach at Sanford |url=http://www.dukechronicle.com/news/2007/10/11/News/General.Will.Teach.At.Sanford-3026871.shtml |url-status=dead |work=The Chronicle |publisher=Duke University |date=October 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418112604/http://www.dukechronicle.com/news/2007/10/11/News/General.Will.Teach.At.Sanford-3026871.shtml |archive-date=April 18, 2011}}</ref> Zinni also serves on the board of directors for [[Caliburn International]], a military contracting conglomerate that includes operations for [[Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Gin |title=Wall Street Banks & Former Defense Officials Looking to Cash In on Child Detentions |url=https://news.littlesis.org/2019/02/13/wall-street-banks-former-defense-officials-looking-to-cash-in-on-child-detentions/ |website=Eyes on the Ties |date=2019-02-13 |access-date=2019-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>

He has been credited for foresight in predicting the dangers of terrorism coming out of Afghanistan before the [[September 11 attacks]] of 2001, and for supporting the [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007]]. In October 2009, he came out firmly in support of General [[Stanley McChrystal|Stanley A. McChrystal's]] request for up to 40,000 additional troops in Afghanistan.

==Early life and education==
Zinni was born in [[Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania]]<ref name=Hearing1>{{cite news |title=Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Second Session, 103d Congress: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate |volume=103 |issue=873 |pages=833–834 |date=1994 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-16-046386-0}}</ref><ref name=Hearing2>{{cite news |title=Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 105th Congress: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate |volume=105 |issue=371 |pages=300–302 |date=1998 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-16-056255-6}}</ref> and raised in [[Conshohocken, Pennsylvania]], the son of Lilla (''née'' Disabatino), a seamstress and homemaker, and Antonio Zinni, a chauffeur.<ref>{{cite book |title=Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 2001–2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QcHPtdFdsgQC&q=Anthony+Zinni+Lilla |publisher=Marquis Who's Who |date=2001-11-01 |access-date=2013-09-19 |isbn=978-0837908328 |via=books.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Avery |first=Laura |title=Newsmakers – Laura Avery |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VWdmAAAAMAAJ&q=Anthony+Zinni+Lilla |year=2003 |publisher=Gale Research |access-date=2013-09-19 |isbn=978-0787663919 |via=books.google.com}}</ref> His parents were of Italian descent. His father was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly after immigrating and served in World War I, being promoted to corporal and later receiving citizenship. Zinni's brother served in the [[Korean War]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Full Retired Gen. Zinni: 'Where Are Our Veterans In Congress?' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDksZ9Zr024  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/wDksZ9Zr024| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|publisher=MSNBC |date=10 September 2020 |access-date=10 September 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 1965, Zinni graduated from [[Villanova University]] with a B.S. degree in economics and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the [[United States Marine Corps]]. He later earned an M.A. degree in management and supervision from [[Central Michigan University]] in 1984 and a second M.A. degree in international relations from [[Salve Regina University|Salve Regina College]] in 1987. Zinni graduated from the [[Marine Corps University#Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC)|Marine Corps Command and Staff College]] in 1978 and the [[National War College]] in 1984. He attended the [[John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School]] in 1967 and the [[Marine Corps University#Expeditionary Warfare School|Amphibious Warfare School]] in 1970.<ref name=Hearing1/><ref name=Hearing2/> In 2023, Zinni was awarded an honorary degree from [[Salve Regina University]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-21 |title=Salve Regina holds commencement ceremony |url=https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/east-bay/salve-regina-holds-commencement-ceremony/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=WPRI.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902172420/https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/east-bay/salve-regina-holds-commencement-ceremony/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career==

===U.S. Marine Corps===
[[File:Anthony Zinni 1993.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Zinni in Somalia, January 1993.]]
[[File:Anthony Zinni 1995.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Zinni in February 1995.]]
After completion of [[the Basic School]] in 1965, Zinni was assigned to the [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]], where he served as a [[platoon]] commander, [[Company (military unit)|company]] [[executive officer]], and [[company commander]] in the [[1st Battalion 6th Marines|1st Battalion, 6th Marines]]. He also served as a company commander in the 1st Infantry Training Regiment during this tour. In 1967, Zinni was assigned as an infantry battalion advisor to the [[Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps|Vietnamese Marine Corps]]. Following his service in the [[Vietnam War]], he was ordered to the Basic School where he served as a tactics instructor, platoon commander, and company executive officer. In 1970, he returned to Vietnam as a company commander in [[1st Battalion 5th Marines|1st Battalion, 5th Marines]] where he was wounded, evacuated, and subsequently assigned to the [[3rd Marine Logistics Group|3rd Force Service Support Group]] on [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]. There he served as a company commander and guard officer. In 1971, Zinni returned to the 2nd Marine Division, where he served as a company commander in the [[1st Battalion 8th Marines|1st Battalion, 8th Marines]], [[Aide de Camp]] to the Commanding General, and Officer in Charge of the Infantry Training Center. In 1974, he was assigned to [[Headquarters Marine Corps]], where he was assigned as the Retention and Release Officer and Plans Officer in the Officer Assignment Branch of the Manpower Department.

Zinni again served in the 2nd Marine Division in 1978, as the Operations Officer of the [[3rd Battalion 2nd Marines|3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines]], Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Executive Officer of the [[8th Marine Regiment (United States)|8th Marine Regiment]] and Commanding Officer of the [[2nd Battalion 8th Marines|2nd Battalion, 8th Marines]]. In 1981, he was assigned as an operations and tactics instructor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico|Quantico]], [[Virginia]]. He was next assigned to the Operations Division at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps where he served as the Head of the Special Operations and Terrorism Counteraction Section and as the Head, [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]] Concepts and Capabilities Branch.  In 1984, he earned his master's degree from Central Michigan University.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/03/possible.dems.vps/index.html | work=CNN | title=Who will be Obama's running mate? | date=June 4, 2008}}</ref> In 1986, he was selected as a fellow on the [[Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group]]. From 1987 to 1989, Zinni served on [[United States Forces Japan|Okinawa]] as the regimental commander of the [[9th Marine Regiment (United States)|9th Marine Regiment]]  and the Commanding Officer of the 35th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was twice deployed to the [[Philippines]] to conduct emergency security operations and disaster relief operations. Upon his return to the U.S., he was assigned as the Chief of Staff of the Marine Air-Ground Training and Education Center at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

His initial general officer assignment was as the Deputy Director of Operations at the [[United States European Command|U.S. European Command]]. In 1991, he served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Commanding General of Combined Task Force [[Operation Provide Comfort]] during the Kurdish relief effort in [[Turkey]] and [[Iraq]]. He also served as the Military Coordinator for [[Operation Provide Hope]], the relief effort for the former [[Soviet Union]]. In 1992–93, he served as the Director for Operations for the [[Unified Task Force]] in [[Somalia]] for [[Operation Restore Hope]]. Also in 1993, he served as the Assistant to the U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia during [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|Operation Continue Hope/UNOSOM II]]. Zinni was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia, from 1992 to 1994.

From 1994 to 1996, he served as the Commanding General, [[1st Marine Expeditionary Force]]. During early 1995, Zinni served as Commander of the Combined Task Force for [[Operation United Shield]], protecting the withdrawal of U.N. forces from Somalia.

[[File:Anthony C. Zinni speech following Operation Desert Fox.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Zinni briefs reporters as to the results of [[Bombing of Iraq (December 1998)|Operation Desert Fox]] in December 1998.]]
From September 1996 until August 1997, Zinni served as the Deputy Commander in Chief, [[United States Central Command]]. His final tour was from August 1997 to September 2000 as the Commander in Chief, [[United States Central Command]], [[MacDill Air Force Base]], [[Florida]]. He organized [[Operation Desert Fox]], a series of airstrikes against Iraq during December 1998, with the stated purpose of degrading [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program]]. As CinCCENT, he and General [[Wesley Clark]], CINCEUR, held a mini-summit between their commands to determine policies over Africa.<ref>Dana Priest, 'The Mission,' 2003, pp.180–181.</ref> Clark was reluctant to support Zinni's activist attempts to engage more in Africa. Following his command of CENTCOM, he retired in autumn 2000.

===Testimony before Congress===
On March 15, 2000, Zinni testified before Congress:
<blockquote>Iraq remains the most significant near-term threat to U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf region. This is primarily due to its large conventional military force, the pursuit of WMD, oppressive treatment of Iraqi citizens, refusal to comply with [[United Nations Security Council]] [[List of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq|resolutions]] (UNSCR), persistent threats to the enforcement of the [[Iraqi no-fly zones|no-fly zones]] (NFZ), and continued efforts to violate UN Security Council sanctions through oil smuggling.

While Iraq's [[Weapon of mass destruction|WMD]] capabilities were degraded under UN supervision and set back by Coalition strikes, some capabilities remain and others could quickly be regenerated. Despite claims that WMD efforts have ceased, Iraq probably is continuing clandestine nuclear research, retains stocks of [[Chemical warfare|chemical]] and [[Biological warfare|biological munitions]], and is concealing extended-range [[Scud|SCUD]] missiles, possibly equipped with CBW payloads. Even if Baghdad reversed its course and surrendered all WMD capabilities, it retains the scientific, technical, and industrial infrastructure to replace agents and munitions within weeks or months. A special concern is the absence of a UN inspection and monitoring presence, which until December 1998 had been paramount to preventing a large-scale resumption of prohibited weapons programs. A new disarmament regime must be reintroduced into Iraq as soon as possible and allowed to carry out the mandates dictated by the post-Gulf War UN resolutions.</blockquote>

Zinni also warned about terrorism:
<blockquote>Extremists like [[Osama bin Laden]] and his [[World Islamic Front]] network benefit from the global nature of communications that permits recruitment, fundraising, and direct connections to sub-elements worldwide ... Terrorists are seeking more lethal weaponry to include: chemical, biological, radiological, and even nuclear components with which to perpetrate more sensational attacks ... Three [Iraq, Iran, & Sudan ] of the seven recognized [[state-sponsored terrorism|state-sponsors of terrorism]] are within this potentially volatile area, and the [[Taliban]] regime in Afghanistan has been sanctioned by the UN Security Council for its harboring of Osama bin Laden. Nearly one-half of the 28 recognized terrorist organizations have operational sites within the region. Afghanistan has emerged as a catalyst for regional instability offering sanctuary, support, and training facilities to a growing number of extremist elements.<ref name=SenateStatement2000>{{cite journal |title=Statement of General Anthony C. Zinni – Commander in Chief US Central Command before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Armed Services |url=http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2000/000229az.pdf |url-status=dead |publisher=Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senate |date=February 29, 2000 |access-date=2007-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226221920/http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2000/000229az.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2007}}</ref></blockquote>

===Special envoy===
From 2001 to 2003, Zinni served as a [[special envoy]] for the U.S. to [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinian Authority]].

In August 2017, he traveled to the Persian Gulf at the request of [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Rex Tillerson]] to help mediate the [[Qatar diplomatic crisis]].<ref name="ae">{{cite news |work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |title=US dispatching retired general to work on Qatar dispute  |first=Joyce |last=Karam |date=August 2, 2017 |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/us-dispatching-retired-general-to-work-on-qatar-dispute-1.616142 |access-date=January 8, 2019}}</ref> Zinni resigned from his position as an envoy in January 2019, for he thought he could not resolve the dispute.<ref>{{cite web |last=South |first=Todd |title=Retired 4-star Marine resigns from Middle East envoy in Qatar dispute |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/01/08/retired-4-star-marine-resigns-from-middle-east-envoy-in-qatar-dispute/ |work=[[Marine Corps Times]] |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hansler |first1=Jennifer |last2=Atwood |first2=Kylie |title=US envoy working on Qatar dispute quits Trump admin |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/08/politics/zinni-state-departure/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brennan |first=Margaret |title=U.S. envoy working on Qatar dispute resigns from State Department |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anthony-zinni-us-envoy-working-on-qatar-dispute-resigns/ |work=[[CBS News]] |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=DeYoung |first=Karen |title=U.S. special envoy working on Persian Gulf disputes steps down |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-special-envoy-working-on-persian-gulf-disputes-steps-down/2019/01/08/9e24a846-1364-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>

==CNA Military Advisory Board== 
Gen. Zinni served on the CNA Military Advisory Board,[8] the first group of retired generals and admirals to examine the national security implications of climate change. Founded in 2006 by Sherri Goodman, the CNA Military Advisory board brought together military leaders from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The landmark report of the CNA Military Advisory Board, National Security and the Threat of Climate Change, established the concept of climate change as a “threat multiplier.”<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cna.org/centers-and-divisions/ipr/mab | title=The CNA Military Advisory Board }}</ref>
In the 2007 report, General Zinni referenced the inevitability of climate change and the need to take action now. General Zinni was one of the first leaders to appreciate the link between climate change, migration, terrorism, and instability.  He wanted to “look at how climate change effects could drive populations to migrate.  . . . What kinds of conflicts might result from their migration? You may also have a population that is traumatized by an event or change in condition triggered by climate change... It’s not hard to make the connection between climate change and instability and climate change and terrorism.” <ref>[https://www.cna.org/reports/2007/national%20security%20and%20the%20threat%20of%20climate%20change%20%281%29.pdf CNA Military Report 2007]</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Retired USMC Gen. Anthony Zinni.jpg|upright|thumb|Zinni orating in January 2009]]
Zinni's son, Anthony Zinni, serves in the Marine Corps and was promoted to the rank of [[Major (United States)|major]] effective September 1, 2010.<ref>[http://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/MessagesDisplay/tabid/13286/Article/111778/officer-promotions-for-september-2010-and-projected-officer-promotions-for-octo.aspx Officer Promotions for September 2010 and Projected Officer Promotions for October 2010 > The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417193726/http://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/MessagesDisplay/tabid/13286/Article/111778/officer-promotions-for-september-2010-and-projected-officer-promotions-for-octo.aspx |date=2015-04-17}}</ref>

Zinni holds positions on several boards of directors of major U.S. corporations. In addition, he has held academic positions that include the Stanley Chair in Ethics at the [[Virginia Military Institute]], the Nimitz Chair at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], the Hofheimer Chair at the [[Joint Forces Staff College]], and the Harriman Professorship of Government and membership on the board of the Reves Center for International Studies at the [[College of William and Mary]]. He has worked as Chairman of the Board of the [[Middle East Institute]], with the [[University of California]]'s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation and the Henry Dunant [[Centre for humanitarian dialogue]] in Geneva. He is also a Distinguished Advisor at the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] and a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. He was the Executive Vice President for Dyncorp International from July 18, 2007, to the end of 2008. He served on the Board of Directors of DynCorp International prior to that position.

He serves or has served on the board of trustees of the [[National Constitution Center]] in [[Philadelphia]], which is a museum dedicated to the [[U.S. Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ncc_about_Board_of_Trustees.aspx |title=National Constitution Center, Board of Trustees |access-date=2010-07-27 |date=2010-07-26 |work=National Constitution Center Web Site |publisher=National Constitution Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615033447/http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_about_Board_of_Trustees.aspx |archive-date=2010-06-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{as of|2014}}, he serves as chairman of the board of governors of the [[Middle East Institute]].<ref>[http://www.mei.edu/board Board of Governors], Middle East Institute. Retrieved June 25, 2014</ref> He has been named honorary chairman of that institution.<ref>[http://www.mei.edu/profile/anthony-c-zinni Anthony C. Zinni], Middle East Institute, Retrieved on June 25, 2014.</ref> Zinni also serves as an honorary board member of the non-profit Wine Country Marines – a 501(c)3 dedicated to helping wounded service members, and aiding the welfare of currently serving service members, as well as addressing veterans employment and transition and healthcare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winecountrymarines.org/board-of-directors.html|title=Wine Country Marines – Board of Directors|work=winecountrymarines.org|access-date=2015-02-10|archive-date=2015-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209032823/http://www.winecountrymarines.org/board-of-directors.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2004, Zinni gave a lecture entitled "From the Battlefield to the Negotiating Table: Preventing Deadly Conflict" at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series.

In 2004, Zinni was named in an investigative report by [[Diana B. Henriques]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' as being among the "retired or former military people" recruited to the corporate boards and sales forces of investment firms engaged in deceptive marketing of financial instruments aimed at military veterans in order to lend them credibility.<ref name = "Henry">{{cite news |access-date=2007-04-16
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/business/basic-training-doesn-t-guard-against-insurance-pitch-to-gi-s.html
|author=Henrique, Diana
|title=Basic Training Doesn't Guard Against Insurance Pitch to G.I.'s
|work=The New York Times
|date=June 20, 2004
}}</ref> The investment firm that had recruited Zinni, [[First Command Financial Planning, Inc.]], responded in written comments to a subsequent [[United States House of Representatives]] investigation that "It would be unfortunate if anyone inferred that these honorable individuals would take any action or support any organization that did not act in the best interests of service members."<ref name = "Smith">{{cite web
|author=Smith, Lamar
|url=http://financialservices.house.gov/media/pdf/090904ls.pdf
|access-date=2007-04-14
|title=Written Statement of Lamar Smith Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Command Financial planning Inc on GI Finances: Protecting those who Protect Us before the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises of the Committee on Financial Services
|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives
|date=September 9, 2004
|page=4
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426042527/http://financialservices.house.gov/media/pdf/090904ls.pdf
|archive-date=26 April 2007
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) and [[Financial Industry Regulatory Authority|National Association of Securities Dealers]] (NASD) subsequently concluded that First Command "willfully violated the [[Securities Act of 1933]] Section 17(a)(2) dealing with inter-state fraud."<ref name=SEC2004>{{cite news|last1=United States of America Before the Securities and Exchange Commission|title=Order Instituting Administrative and Cease-and-Disist Proceedings, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Disist Order Pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934|url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/33-8513.htm|access-date=19 April 2015|agency=Securities and Exchange Commission|issue=Securities Act of 1933 Release No. 8513; Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Release No. 50859|date=December 15, 2004}}</ref> In particular, the SEC concluded that First Command had sold [[mutual fund]] investments to veterans termed "systematic plans" which had very high sales charges termed "front-end sales loads", "by, in part, making misleading statements and omissions concerning, among other things: (a) comparisons between the systematic plan and other mutual fund investments; (b) the availability of the [[Thrift Savings Plan]] ("TSP"), which offers military investors many of the features of a systematic plan at lower costs; and (c) the efficacy of the front-end sales load in ensuring that investors remain committed to the systematic plan."<ref name=SEC2004 /> In December 2004, First Command entered into a $12 million [[Settlement (law)|settlement]] with the SEC and NASD without admitting guilt.<ref>Schulz, James, ''Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America'', p 123, 2008, JHU Press</ref>

In 2006, Zinni argued that more troops were needed in Iraq in the context of preventing the then-budding civil war.<ref name=Gordon2006>{{cite news
  |last = Gordon
  |first =Michael R.
  |title = Get Out of Iraq Now? Not So Fast, Experts Say
  |work=The New York Times
  |date = November 15, 2006
  |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/washington/15military.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
  |access-date = 2007-12-17
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121114161400/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/washington/15military.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin| archive-date=November 14, 2012| url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2007, he worked on a report entitled "National Security and the Threat of Climate Change" with 11 other retired military commanders. The report stated that global warming would act as a threat multiplier to global conflict.

General Zinni is also a "Distinguished Military Fellow" for the [[Center for Defense Information]], a part of the [[World Security Institute]].

In 2009, Zinni reported that he had been offered and accepted the post of [[United States Ambassador to Iraq]] for the [[Barack Obama]] administration, but that the appointment had been subsequently withdrawn without explanation.<ref>{{cite news |first=Barbara |last=Slavin |title= Obama backs out on Iraq appointment |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/04/obama-backs-out-iraq-appointment/ |newspaper=Washington Times |date=2009-02-04 |access-date=2009-02-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090206210632/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/04/obama-backs-out-iraq-appointment/| archive-date= 6 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>  The administration's final choice for the ambassadorship was [[Christopher R. Hill]].

On June 26, 2009, General Anthony (Tony) Zinni (USMC ret.), then a member of the [[BAE Systems]], Inc. Board, has been appointed Chairman of the BAE Systems, Inc. Board and, pending appointment of a permanent successor to [[Walt Havenstein]], Acting President and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc.  Tony will also join the BAE Systems Executive Committee in his capacity as Acting President and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc.

General Zinni also serves or has served on the board of Kaseman which has teamed up with Blackwater to pursue security work for the State Department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/spy-talk/2010/10/blackwater_firm_partners_with.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904044751/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/spy-talk/2010/10/blackwater_firm_partners_with.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2015|title=Blackwater firm partners with State Dept., CIA insiders|date=January 10, 2010|work=Spy Talk|publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref>

Since 2011, Anthony Zinni is a member of the board of the [[Peace Research Endowment]].

===Political involvement===
Efforts to get him to run for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] have gone nowhere.<ref>{{cite web
  |title = Draft Zinni – It's Security Stupid
  |url = http://www.draftzinni.com/
  |access-date = 2007-12-17| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071218134912/http://www.draftzinni.com/| archive-date= 18 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> Zinni has said he would never run for office. He says his decision to endorse President George W. Bush in 2000 was a mistake, and in 2003, indicated that he plans to avoid politics in the future.<ref name=Ricks2003>{{cite news
  |last = Ricks
  |first = Thomas
  |author-link = Thomas E. Ricks (journalist)
  |title = For Vietnam Vet Anthony Zinni, Another War on Shaky Territory
  |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]
  |date = December 23, 2003
  |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A22922-2003Dec22&notFound=true
  |access-date = 2007-12-17
}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> However, on March 3, 2006, Zinni joined fellow former [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marines]] General [[Joseph P. Hoar]], Lt. General [[Greg Newbold]], Lt. General [[Frank E. Petersen|Frank Petersen]], and Congressman [[Jack Murtha]] in endorsing fellow former [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] and [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Jim Webb]] for [[U.S. Senate]] in [[Virginia]].<ref name=WebbSenatepage>{{cite web|title=Generals endorse Webb |publisher=www.webbforsenate.com |url=http://www.webbforsenate.com/press/release.php?id=24 |access-date=2007-12-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311031121/http://www.webbforsenate.com/press/release.php?id=24 |archive-date=March 11, 2007 }}</ref> Zinni had been floated as a possible vice presidential running mate of [[Barack Obama]], in 2008.<ref name=Wilson2007>{{cite web
  |last =Wilson
  |first =Reid
  |title = '08 Notes: Vice Squad
  |work =Real Clear Politics
  |publisher =Time Inc.
  |date = 2007-08-14
  |url = http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/08/08_notes_vice_squad.html
  |access-date = 2007-12-17
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071228024459/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/08/08_notes_vice_squad.html| archive-date= 28 December 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations==
Zinni's decorations include the following:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/Y-Z/zinni_ac.aspx |title=Gen Anthony C. Zinni |publisher=Mcu.usmc.mil |date=1943-09-17 |access-date=2013-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501160755/https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/Y-Z/zinni_ac.aspx |archive-date=2015-05-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nimitz.berkeley.edu/pastspeaker-2001.html |title=2001 General Zinni |publisher=Nimitz.berkeley.edu |access-date=2013-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629072311/http://nimitz.berkeley.edu/pastspeaker-2001.html |archive-date=2010-06-29 }}</ref>
{| style="margin:auto;"
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Combat Distinguishing Device.svg|21px]]</span> <span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -89px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Award star (gold).png|22px]]</span>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Combat Distinguishing Device.svg|21px]]</span> <span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -89px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Award star (gold).png|22px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=8|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|other_device=bss|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Commendatore OMRI BAR.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=EGY Order of Merit - Knight BAR.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Ordre_national_du_Merite_Commandeur_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Ordre_national_du_Merite_Officier_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Noribbon.svg|width=106}}<!-- One unidentified ribbon (the blue/white one with gold device) has not been added -->
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Order of the Sinai Star.png|width=106}} <!--This is the Yemen "National Reunification Medal" -->
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Order_of_Bahrain,_1st_class.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United Nations Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|[[File:USMC Rifle Expert badge.png|150px]]
|colspan="2" align="center"|[[File:USMC Pistol Expert badge.png|150px]]
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] w/ 1 bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Defense Superior Service Medal]] w/ 2 oak leaf clusters
|colspan="3" align="center"|[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] w/ 1 [[award star]] & [["V" device|Combat V]]
|-
!2nd Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Purple Heart]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] w/ 1 award star
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]] w/ 1 award star & valor device
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal]] w/ 1 award star
|-
!3rd Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Combat Action Ribbon]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] w/ 4 oak leaf clusters
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Navy Unit Commendation]] w/ 1 [[service star]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] w/ 3 service stars
|-
!4th Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ 1 service star
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] w/ 1 service star
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ 3 service stars
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Southwest Asia Service Medal]] w/ 2 service stars
|-
!5th Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Humanitarian Service Medal]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]] w/ 6 service stars
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Overseas Service Ribbon|Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon]] w/ 1 service star
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]], Commander
|-
!6th Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal]] First Class
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Order of Merit (Egypt)]] Knight's degree
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Ordre national du Mérite|French National Order of Merit]], Commander
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Ordre national du Mérite|French National Order of Merit]], Officer
|-
!7th Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |Unidentified<!-- One unidentified ribbon (the blue/white one with gold device) has not been added -->
|colspan="3" align="center" |National Reunification Medal of Yemen
|colspan="3" align="center" |The Khalifiyyeh Order of [[Bahrain]], 1st class<ref>[http://www.medals.org.uk/bahrain/bahrain002.htm The Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain] on Medals of the World website</ref>
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation]]
|-
!8th Row
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Civil Actions Medal|Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[United Nations Medal]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)]]
|-
!Badges
|colspan="6" align="center" |[[Marksmanship Badge (United States)|Rifle Expert marksmanship badge]]
|colspan="6" align="center" |[[Marksmanship Badge (United States)|Pistol Expert marksmanship badge]]
|}

In addition to his U.S. military decorations, Zinni holds decorations from France, Italy, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Vietnam, and Kuwait.

His civilian awards include the [[Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice|Papal Gold Cross of Honor]], the [[Union League]]'s [[Abraham Lincoln Award]], the Italic Studies Institute's Global Peace Award, the [[Distinguished Sea Service Award]] from the [[Naval Order of the United States]], the [[Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award]] from the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]], The Chapman Award from the [[Marine Corps University]] Foundation, the Penn Club Award, the St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal, the George P. Shultz Award for Public Service from the [[U.S. Department of State]], and UNICO National's Grand Patriot Award.

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |author=Gen. Tony Zinni (ret.) and Tony Koltz | title=Before the First Shots Are Fired: How America Can Win Or Lose Off The Battlefield |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |date=September 2014 |isbn=978-1-137-27938-5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/general-tony-zinni-first-shots-are-fired/|title=Pritzker Military Presents: General Tony Zinni – Pritzker Military Museum & Library |location= Chicago|work=pritzkermilitary.org}}</ref>
* {{cite book |author=Gen. Tony Zinni (ret.) and Tony Koltz |title=Leading the Charge: Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |date=August 2009 |isbn=978-0-230-61265-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/leadingchargelea00zinn }}
* {{cite book |author=Gen. Tony Zinni (ret.) and Tony Koltz (foreword by Tom Clancy)|title=The Battle for Peace: A Frontline Vision of America's Power and Purpose |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |date=April 2006 |isbn=1-4039-7174-9}}
* {{cite book |author=Tom Clancy, Gen. Tony Zinni (ret.) and Tony Koltz |title=Battle Ready |publisher=Grosset & Dunlap |year=2004 |isbn=0-399-15176-1}}

==See also==
* [[List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals]]
{{Portal bar|Biography}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{Marine Corps}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060330163243/http://www.rcaca.org/News-Zinni.htm Text of Zinni's farewell speech upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, March 2000]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040806221644/http://www.cdi.org/program/document.cfm?DocumentID=2208 Text of Zinni's May 12, 2004 speech]
* [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040425/news_mz1e25zinni.html Interview by the ''San Diego Union Tribune''] in which Zinni is very critical of the [[War in Iraq]]
* [http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2002/10/17/zinni/ Questions and Answers with Anthony Zinni] in [[Salon.com]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130430180232/http://www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies/institutes/ipj/programs/distinguished_lecture_series/biographies/general_zinni.php Lecture transcript and video of Zinni's speech at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at the University of San Diego, April 2004]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090902080051/http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2000/000229az.pdf Zinni's Statement Before U.S. Senate Committee on the Armed Forces] February 29, 2000.
* [http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/front-center-john-callaway-battle-peace/ Interview] at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]]

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.generalzinni.com Zinni's official website]
* {{C-SPAN|48496}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|580}}
* {{IMDb name|3944111}}
* {{NYTtopic|people/z/anthony_c_zinni}}
* [http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/general-tony-zinni-first-shots-are-fired/ Zinni discusses ''Before the First Shots are Fired: How America Can Win or Lose Off the Battlefield''] at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on September 25, 2014

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{{s-bef|before=[[J. H. Binford Peay III|Binnie Peay]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Combatant Commander of [[United States Central Command]]|years=1997–2000}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tommy Franks]]}}
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{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Dennis Ross]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States Special Envoy]] for Middle East Peace|years=2001–2003}}
{{s-vac|next=[[George J. Mitchell]]}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zinni, Anthony}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Conshohocken, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American anti–Iraq War activists]]
[[Category:American military writers]]
[[Category:American writers of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Catholics from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Villanova University alumni]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Marine Corps University alumni]]
[[Category:Central Michigan University alumni]]
[[Category:National War College alumni]]
[[Category:Salve Regina University alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps generals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:College of William & Mary faculty]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Ordre national du Mérite]]
[[Category:Duke University faculty]]
[[Category:George W. Bush administration personnel]]
[[Category:Knights of Malta]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Humanitarian Service Medal]]
[[Category:First Trump administration personnel]]
[[Category:Writers from Pennsylvania]]