AUTHOR'S BIO

Richard Holbrooke

Richard Holbrooke, US ambassador to the United Nations in the Clinton administration, writes a monthly column for The Washington Post.

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Opening China, Then and Now

Richard Holbrooke Series:

2008-12-14

America's opening to China by Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger in 1971-1972 was a historic breakthrough. But the crucial step, taken by Jimmy Carter exactly 30 years ago, was to establish full diplomatic relations between China and the US – a move that required unprecedented legal and diplomatic finesse, owing to America's continuing commitment to Taiwan.... read

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Why Barack Obama?

Richard Holbrooke Series:

2008-10-28

The winner of America’s presidential election will face the most difficult opening-day agenda of any president since the man who saved the Union, Abraham Lincoln. In terms of judgment, leadership, and effectiveness, Barack Obama is far more qualified than John McCain to address America's myriad foreign and domestic challenges.... read

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Sleepwalking in the Balkans

Richard Holbrooke and Paddy Ashdown Series:

2008-10-27

SARAJEVO - Almost exactly 13 years ago, American leadership brought an end to Bosnia's three-and-a-half-year war through the Dayton peace agreement. Today that country is now in real danger of collapse. As in 1995, resolve and transatlantic unity are needed if we are not to sleepwalk into another crisis.... read

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When “Sovereignty” Risks Global Health

Richard Holbrooke and Laurie Garrett Series:

2008-09-15

Indonesia’s minister of health, Siti Fadilah Supari, recently asserted that deadly viruses are the sovereign property of individual nations – even though they cross borders and could pose a pandemic threat to all the world’s peoples. He is not alone, and political leaders around the world should take very strong action to nip this dangerous and morally reprehensible concept in the bud.... read

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What the West Can Do

Richard Holbrooke Series:

2008-08-22

Given the tremendous damage that Russia has inflicted on Georgia, it is easy to conclude that the Kremlin has achieved its objectives. But, as the West debates how to “punish Russia” for its invasion, it is vital to bear in mind a simple equation: if Saakashvili survives, Vladimir Putin loses.... read

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Russia Crosses the Line

Richard Holbrooke and Ronald Asmus Series:

2008-08-14

NEW YORK -- In weeks and years past, each of us argued that Russia was pursuing a policy of regime change toward Georgia and its pro-Western, democratically elected president, Mikheil Saakashvili. We predicted that, absent strong and unified Western diplomatic involvement, war was coming. ... read

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The Face of Evil

Richard Holbrooke Series: The World in Words

2008-08-09

As the trial of Radovan Karadzic gets underway, it is important to note that his arrest and delivery to The Hague is not a mere historical footnote. It removes from the scene a man who was still undermining peace and progress in the Balkans, while sending an unmistakable message to other indictees, notably Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.... read

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