When someone dies, especially someone of note, accolades pour in praising the deceased’s virtues and praising his or her legacy. But of all the tributes that came in after the death U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, one, for me, stood out. In a statement, CIA director Leon Panetta – who worked […]
Holbrooke Death Marks Passing of Torch to New Generation
Holbrooke Death Leaves Hole in Afghan Policy
The death of Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke came at a rather untimely moment. The Obama Administration was putting the final touches on the strategic review of what is dubbed “Af-Pak” policy, and Holbrooke was a key participant in that. Holbrooke was known for an outsize ego and abrasive manner, and was […]
WikiLeaks: one week down, ???? to go
There is little doubt the WikiLeaks cables have been a headache for U.S. officials in general, and diplomats in particular. To have private and very candid assessments of foreign leaders and reports on their activities aired in public is embarrassing. It’s like knowing someone is talking about you behind your back, and then finding out […]
Partying Down at the CIA
The CIA held its annual holiday reception Friday. Who would have thought that they were a bunch of party animals? OK, it’s not exactly “Spies Gone Wild.” But the annual party is always a first-class event with lots of excellent food, good wine, and fascinating company – although some of the guests may be understandably […]
Documents Show U.S. Coalition Building on Iran
There is little question that the latest batch of WikiLeaks documents, mainly from the State Department, make for fascinating reading. Examples abound: Over the past nine years, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has seemingly morphed from being a rather happy fellow to a mercurial and paranoid one. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev “plays Robin to (Vladimir) Putin’s […]