description Richard Holbrooke Overview
Richard Holbrooke (1941–2010) was an American diplomat who brokered the 1995 Dayton Agreement that ended the Bosnian War. Over his career he served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and from 2009 until his death in 2010, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan under President Obama. His Foreign Service career spanned from the Vietnam War era through the post-9/11 period.
insights Ranking position
Richard Holbrooke ranks #38 of 353 in the Diplomat ranking, behind Abba Eban, ahead of Karel Schwarzenberg.
help Richard Holbrooke FAQ
What did Richard Holbrooke actually do during the Dayton peace negotiations?
Holbrooke led the American diplomatic team that brought the presidents of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia together at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1995. The resulting Dayton Agreement ended the main fighting of the Bosnian War.
Why was the Bosnia settlement negotiated in Dayton, Ohio?
The United States chose a secure Air Force base where delegations could be isolated from the press and kept in continuous negotiations. Holbrooke used that controlled setting to press Alija Izetbegović, Franjo Tuđman, and Slobodan Milošević toward an agreement.
Did Richard Holbrooke ever serve as U.S. secretary of state?
No, although he held several senior diplomatic posts and was sometimes discussed as a possible secretary of state. His roles included assistant secretary of state, U.S. ambassador to Germany, and ambassador to the United Nations.
What was Holbrooke's final diplomatic assignment?
President Barack Obama appointed him Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2009. Holbrooke remained in that position until his death in December 2010.
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