On 24 January 2008, Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and one of America’s most prominent diplomats, was hosted in Paris under the banner of Foreign Policy France — for which Fabien Baussart held the licence in France and Ukraine. The programme included a breakfast followed by a lunch, creating a forum for wide-ranging exchanges on international affairs.

The sessions were moderated by Alexandre Adler and François Roche, who steered the discussions toward U.S. foreign policy, NATO’s future role, and the shifting balance of power at the dawn of a new geopolitical era. Holbrooke drew upon his extensive diplomatic career — from the Dayton Accords to his work at the United Nations — to reflect on the need for persistent diplomacy in addressing global conflicts.

Participants, including politicians, diplomats, policymakers, and experts, engaged with Holbrooke on the prospects for U.S.–European cooperation and the importance of sustained multilateral engagement. The event highlighted his reputation as a forceful advocate for diplomacy and his capacity to bridge strategic vision with practical negotiation.