COMMENTARY--Richard Holbrooke

by Bill Breakstone, December 15, 2010


Richard Holbrooke was as fine a diplomat as any that ever served our Nation. He may have ruffled more than a few feathers, and may not have been an Obama Poster Boy. But he was one hell of a professional. He kept his advice to himself and to those who sought them. He was discreet, he was tough as nails, he was incredibly bright, and he was true with his friendships.

Holbrooke had perhaps the most difficult job in the State Department—dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and their duplicitous leaders. The leak published this morning about the Af-Pak Review due out tomorrow gives one just a brief glimpse of what Holbrooke was up against.

I noticed this morning on the bottom line during the “Morning Joe” program on MSNBC that Holbrooke’s final words before his operation, spoken on the operating table, were “You’ve got to get out of Afghanistan.” He was worried sick about the future conduct of the two wars, a feeling no doubt intensified by the review process under way. He must have known he would not be there when the final decisions were going to be made by the Administration over the coming weeks. Thus his ultimate advice, aimed undoubtedly at Obama, Clinton, and the National Security team.

May Richard Holbrooke now rest in peace, assured that he had done his duty and served his Country to the best of his considerable abilities.