Remember Richard Holbrooks was the Ambassador to the UN, so he has lots of friends in unfriendly places. Have you noticed that ambassadors to different countries become very defensive if that country is ever critisized? Anyway, I think Holbrooke wants to be Sec. of State in Kerry Admin., so he is using his connections to talk with and meet with people in places that he probably has no "right" to be meeting with at this time. He is one of the most egotistical (which says a lot) of Kerry's advisors.
As an aside:
Richard Holbrook is now married to the ex-Mrs. Petah Jennings.
(Poor her, actually. She really knows how to pick 'em)