1995. godine, taj direktni diplomata predvodio je međunarodni pregovarački tim zadužen za rješavanje krize na Balkanu, Holbrooke je putovao između Beograda, Zagreba i Sarajeva sve dok nije tamošnje glavne lidere uvjerio da pristanu na mirovne pregovore.
In 1995, the blunt-spoken diplomat headed the international negotiation team tasked with resolving the crisis in the Balkans. Holbrooke shuttled among Belgrade, Zagreb and Sarajevo until he persuaded the principal leaders there to agree to peace talks.