Just as President Obama's new Aghanistan policy is set to be unveiled next week, Ben Smith reports Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke has left for a ski vacation.
"Holbrooke's absence seems to confirm what has been whispered for months: That he has not occupied the central role on Afghanistan strategy that he had once been expected to take, and that although -- or perhaps because -- he's maintained his strong relationship with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, his relationship with the White House leaves something to be desired."