Press Release
from Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Cambridge, MA – Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs today named Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Sean B. MacFarland a non-resident Senior Fellow. General MacFarland, who most recently led the victorious campaign against ISIS forces in northern Iraq and Syria, will share his lessons on leadership, the Middle East, and US foreign policy with students, faculty, and staff.
“When the Middle East was reeling from a brutal enemy, we called on Sean MacFarland to turn the tide,” said former Secretary of Defense and current Belfer Center Director Ash Carter. “The military victory he engineered reflects a rare combination of leadership, intellect, and public service. We are honored to have this American hero join our roster of senior fellows.”
“Some of America’s most important future leaders are preparing themselves at the Belfer Center today to face tomorrow’s challenges,” said MacFarland. “It is a true privilege to help them in any way possible to secure a better future and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.”
During the course of his distinguished military career, MacFarland served in armor and cavalry units at every echelon. He led an armored cavalry platoon at Fort Bliss, Texas, commanded an armored cavalry troop in the “Fulda Gap” in Germany, an armored battalion in Germany and the Balkans, an armored brigade combat team in Germany and Iraq, the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss and the III Armored Corps in Iraq and at Fort Hood, Texas. He also served as Commanding General of JTF-North in support of US border security at Fort Bliss, Deputy Commanding General of US Forces in Afghanistan and Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, US Army Training and Doctrine Command.
As a brigade commander in Ramadi, Iraq, he is credited with fostering the Sunni Arab “Awakening” movement, which was instrumental in turning the tide of the war. While commanding III Corps, he also led the war in Iraq and Syria against ISIS, during which time coalition forces seized the initiative, recaptured over 40 percent of the enemy’s territory, and set the conditions for its final defeat.
MacFarland is a 1981 graduate of the United States Military Academy, the Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (Eisenhower School). He also earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech.
His awards include the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist and Air Assault Wings, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Distinguished Service Medals, two Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, six Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals and five Army Achievement Medals. In 2016, TIME Magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Contact: Sharon Wilke: sharon_wilke@hks.harvard.edu; 617-495-9858