Today the thoughts of many around the world are dwelling on the loss of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke,U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.Mr.Holbrooke died Saturday at age 69 after a total of more than 24 hours of surgery to repair his circulatory system at George Washington University Hospital in Washington.The hospital has a specialty of treating high-ranking U.S. officials such as former Vice-President Dick Cheney.
CNN correspondent Nick Robertson said Mr.Holbrooke's level of knowledge of history was what he brought to bear.His persuasive powers and ability to be tough with tough leaders in a diplomatic way were remarkable.
Mr.Holbrooke was last in Afghanistan in late October.He had been helping with a report on the conflict in the region to be reviewed by President Barack Obama and his advisors shortly.The seasoned ambassador was a central figure in the development and implementation of the administration's AfPak regional strategy.Young Americans were dying and being wounded in Afghanistan,Mr.Holbrooke stated,so they deserve our best effort.
Richard Holbrooke was a close friend of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband former President Bill Clinton.He was widely admired both at home and abroad,despite-or perhaps because of- an intensity which could be off-putting.
Please also see a tribute to Mr.Holbrooke in my Extra Content blog,which you may click on in the right-hand column.
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