The Obama administration is understood to choose a new envoy in Afghanistan and Pakistan following the death of its previous representative Richard Holbrooke last December. The US official has said the job will go to Marc Grossman a retired diplomat. Marc Grossman spent almost three decades working for the State Department. Grossman has served as assistant secretary of state for Europe and ambassador to Turkey. He helped direct American participation in the Kosovo war. The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to formally announce the appointment later this week.