U.S. Diplomat Holbrooke Dies After Illness

After undergoing  more than twenty hours of surgery to repair a tear in his aorta, U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke has died. Holbrooke served under every president from JFK to Obama.

Richard Holbrooke, a veteran U.S. diplomat who was the architect of the 1995 Bosnia peace plan and served as President Barack Obama's special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, has died, NBC News reported, citing a U.S. official. He was 69.

Holbrooke's forceful style earned him nicknames such as "The Bulldozer" or "Raging Bull." He was admitted to George Washington University Hospital on Friday after he became ill. He had surgery on Saturday to repair a torn aorta.

"Tonight America has lost one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said after his death on Monday.

via U.S. diplomat Holbrooke dies after illness - Politics - msnbc.com.