Somewhere I heard that when 'Big Dick' landed in Kabul on one of his frequent trips the reporters said 'the ego has landed'.

I don't know if many Americans know this, but Holbrooke is indeed viewed as a 'Big Dick' by many decision-makers in these three countries.

Diplomats usually have two main roles. Either deliver stern warnings, or maintain cordial ties through sweet talk and the touting of 'soft power' triumphs.

Dick only seems capable of the first. And if you've seen clips of him out in the field, you can sense from his body language, despite his words, that he harbors a deep disdain for the people he's there to cajole.

Ofcourse how much of this is his own personality and how much is just projection of suspicion by his hosts is unknown.

But one thing is for sure, he's not the right guy for the job. Primalrily because there IS NO right guy for the job, cuz the job is ill-conceived, strategically flawed, and deeply offensive to alteast one of the three parties.

In a way you feel sorry for the guy. I mean he is the embodiment of the whole "Af/Pak" imbroglio.

It's his job to ruffle the feathers of the Karzai regime for its corruption and foot-dragging.

It's his job to compel the Pakistani Army directorate to escalate the Army invasion of FATA and stay vigilant, something that many are loathe to do, much less at the behest of outsiders.

And finally it's his job to placate India in demanding that the US pressure the Pakistani Army to bomb this-supposed-terrorist-group or that-supposed-terrorist-group, by explaining to them that the Pakistanis are already taxed as it is (in operations that protect NATO troops), and they don't necessisarily WANT to harm the 'hit India first' terror groups.

I mean who in their right mind would want that job?

Holbrooke does seem to fancy himself one of these guys that feels no administration can do without him, and for whatever reason, Democratic administrations in particular. And fascinatingly, they agree!

But rat's spit, I take issue that India hates us. Mostly they are disappointed that we get to attack al-Qaeda in Pakistan and they aren't allowed to do the same against Lashkar-e-Taiba there.

With tongue-in-cheek, I've a great idea? Let's winnow it down to only two countries hating us in S.W. Asia and throw in with someone that speaks a common language with us, India. Besides - they hate Muslims, as much as Holbrooke. : )

Even though "Dick" has continued and accelerated Secretary Rice's decision to deploy unarmed diplomats to Afghanistan's most dangerous provinces with the most rudimentary of training (no language, and a week fooling around with the Indiana National Guard does not equal his own experience in CORDS) it is likely for the best.

Because if Foreign Service Officers were armed, they would likely 'frag' him - he is despised by the FS rank and file, many who are Florida residents and voted for Bush in 2000 to save themselves from him becoming Secretary of State.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have exposed junior and mid-level officers to their counterparts in the military, and they have noticed the lack of leadership demonstrated by 'experts" like Holbrooke and John Bolton. While Secretary Powell did not win many policy battles, he and Deputy Secretary Armitage knew how to lead and 'take care of the troops.'