Obama to review post-Holbrooke Afghan policy
President Barack Obama is set to huddle behind closed doors with his national security team Tuesday to review the administration's policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan - one day after the unexpected death of his diplomatic point man for the region.
Veteran U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke, America's special envoy to the so-called "AfPak" region, died Monday while being treated at a Washington hospital for a tear in his aorta.
Obama's monthly review of policy toward the pivotal region, however, is scheduled to continue, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Adviser Tom Donilon among those in attendance.
A long-awaited U.S. military analysis of the war in Afghanistan is expected later this week, a year after Obama ordered additional U.S. troops to the country as part of a strategy that could bring some forces home as soon as July 2011. Officials have said the goal is to end combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014.
Earlier this month, Obama made his second trip to Afghanistan since becoming commander-in-chief.
At the moment, it is unclear whether the president intends to name a replacement for Holbrooke.
Obama paid tribute to Holbrooke Monday night, calling him "a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected."
CNN's Alan Silverleib contributed to this report
Never seek to know for whom the bell tools
When it tolls, it tolls for thee.
Salute to the man and his work for peace in Afghanistan
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An Afghani man, whose brother was recently killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, told me yesterday that he was gutted by Holbrooke's death. 'He was our last hope', the man said. What better tribute could Holbrooke receive than that?
Holbrooke was a man of peace, one of the best negociator in the world. He worked for peace and may he rest in peace.
Death Of Richard Holbrooke should have no effect on pakistan and they should look after their country and its people like Holbrooke did look after his country interest but is Pakistani leadership is up to it i do not think so they are busy looking after their Bank Balace.
It takes someone to help Them go in the right direction!!!
I never heard of Him... So Why should I care???
You think with all that dancing she would lose weight!!! I still don't understand the music...
I still don't understand what She is singing!!!
I still don't understand the words!!! The Dancing stinks!!!
Its a Punjabi (a province in East Pakistan) song and a mix of mod-punjabi dance, acted by a Pakistani dancer, but cant make out the relevance, lol...
Something to turn on the NATO troops. YABBA-DABBA-DOO!!!
Creepy!
Go Phunnie boy,go!!!
Sorry Phunnie boy(Bledsoe),I forgot you were gay. Forgive me!
Gay-Daniel-2!
Who's this Daniel-2 you keep talking to? Am I missing something here?
No Willie,there is no Daniel-2. That's just a pigment of this creep's imagination. Don't pay any attention to him!!! We all call him Pfunnie boy.
Pigment-Daniel2!
That I liked!
Holbrooke was an appeaser – the illusion of peace at any cost, no matter how many people suffered and died because of it.
It's the other way around,John. Too many people had to die because America won't quit poking it's nose into other people's business. By the way,I'm the true Bledsoe.
Excellent-Daniel-2!
Thank you,Phunnie boy.
My-pleasure-Daniel-2!!!
what kind of a mission he has these days ?? ..
Still trying to make a joke out of this man's death as usual,Phunnie boy! Have you absolutely no decency in you at all???
Crass-Daniel-2.
somebody is missing these days on this comment page.
It will be really hard for the United States to find his replacement in this difficult time.
We have to find someone to finish His work!!!
Holbrooke was one of the best ambassadors America has ever had. He worked for peace and may he rest in peace.
Amen To That!!! I just hope We can find someone that will be able to take His place!!! Maybe Bill Clinton???
His last wish was to finish the war in Afghanistan. This he had expressed before entry into operation theater for his heart surgery. He knew that this war is going to destroy his country if not stopped forthwith.
Hello. I'm the real Bledsoe here but I suspect that Phunnie boy's going to blog in here under my name to make a joke out of this ,too.
I'd be surprised to kingdom come if he didn't,Bledsoe.
Just like I said above. I see that he wasted no time in making a joke out of this,the sicko!