Free Republic

You may ask yourself, is it worth one of the best American non-fiction writers producing a book of just under 600 pages on an arrogant and abrasive egotist whose highest sustained rank in the State Department was that of a lowly assistant secretary? The answer is unabashedly yes. This is a remarkable work about a remarkable, if deeply flawed, statesman whose career was intimately intertwined with the 50 years of American decline from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Nearly all biographies have long, boring stretches you want to skip. This one has none. The access to Richard Holbrooke’s papers and to the...

[snip] "To leave nothing vague or ambiguous regarding our nation’s Diplomatic Corps actions in regards to homosexual rights around the globe, the former Massachusetts Senator and presidential candidate [the current U.S. Secretary of State] stated: Across the globe, in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas our diplomats are assisting local LGBT organizations and supporting local human rights advocates working to promote equality, create dialogue, and ensure protections for LGBT individuals."

The United States has said Syria is playing a "dangerous game" in dictating on Lebanon a 3-year extension for Gen. Lahoud in office, warning of an eventual backlash against President Assad's regime. "I believe that the Syrians are playing a very dangerous game because they are disrespecting and humiliating the people of Lebanon," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. "I think Syria's disdain of the Lebanese people will in the long-term hurt Syria's interests," Armitage said in an interview aired by the U.S.-run Arabic language SAWA radio station and Al Horra TV network shortly after the Lebanese cabinet...