Remembering Richard Holbrooke

However you remember Richard Holbrooke, you can't deny that he greatly influenced United States foreign policy and diplomatic culture. Holbrooke was an unapologetic negotiator who worked to promote US interests abroad, at times using dialogue and at others, direct military force.


Best known for brokering peace in Bosnia with the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995, Holbrooke was not spared difficult posts during his time with the US State Department. He cut his teeth on the Vietnam War after graduation from Brown University, and also was the US Ambassador to the UN. He served as the youngest US Secretary of State in history, and was known to some as personable, egotistical, indefatigable, brash, and unrelenting. Holbrooke passed away this week while on assignment to Pakistan and Afghanistan, shortly after meeting with Secretary of State Clinton. 


In researching Holbrooke's life, achievements, and trajectory, I was impressed mostly by his dedication to sustainability. Not only was he concerned with creating peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but he ensured that along with military response, the US emphasized development initiatives as well. His time in Vietnam clearly affected his perspective of conflict, as he was initiated into the diplomatic field during a intractable war. Neither did he shy away from negotiating with people Americans considered to be undesirable. During the Dayton Accords, Holbrooke routinely engaged Slobodon Milosevic, who many consider to be a war criminal, citing the need to involve all parties in peace agreements.


In the post-Wikileaks era, international diplomacy is indeed on uncertain ground, with many officials and countries blushing crimson while retracing their footsteps and scrambling for cover. However, exposure of unpopular policy brokering is hardly new. Since the Watergate scandal under President Nixon, we have seen a de-mystifying of domestic political office, and as we progressed into investigative reporting and 24 hour news broadcasting, the demigods of public policy became the subject of controversy and constant criticism. Now, the international arena is no exception. In the wake of the veil of private diplomacy being lifted, it would have been valuable to have a seasoned veteran and leader like Holbrooke still at the helm. 

Photograph: Win Mcnamee/Getty

Argue his methods, but Holbrooke was undoubtedly the defiant cowboy of the international community. In the words of Barack Obama, Holbrooke was "a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected. He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace." 


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