Henry Kissinger dies at 100

Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, passed away at the age of 100. He died at his home in Connecticut, as confirmed by his consulting firm, Kissinger Associates, which did not disclose the cause of his death.

Kissinger was a pivotal figure in US foreign policy during the 1970s. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the US military’s involvement in the Vietnam War and was instrumental in opening diplomatic relations between the US and communist China under President Richard Nixon, highlighted by Nixon’s landmark visit to China in 1972.

However, Kissinger’s legacy is not without controversy. He faced criticism for the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, which contributed to the rise of the Khmer Rouge, and for supporting the coup against Chile’s democratic government.

In the Middle East, Kissinger was known for his “shuttle diplomacy” following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, separating Israeli and Arab forces. His “détente” approach towards US-Soviet relations led to the easing of tensions and several arms control agreements, influencing US foreign policy until the Reagan era.

Despite these achievements, Kissinger was often critiqued for the secretive nature of his foreign policy strategies with Nixon and for neglecting human rights issues. The Vietnam War, particularly, complicated his legacy, with ongoing American involvement and escalating casualties despite Nixon’s promises of ending the war.

Kissinger controversially shared the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize with North Vietnamese Le Duc Tho for the Paris peace accords. Tho declined the prize, citing the lack of peace in Vietnam, leading to resignations from the Nobel committee.

The US’s involvement in the bombings of Laos and Cambodia also sparked domestic outrage, as these actions indirectly aided the rise of the Khmer Rouge and one of the 20th-century’s worst genocides.

Reflecting on the Vietnam War in 2005, Kissinger expressed regret over the domestic divisions it caused in the US, impacting the possibility of a satisfactory conclusion.

Even after his tenure during the Nixon administration, which declined with the Watergate scandal, Kissinger remained an influential figure in diplomacy, always finding an audience for his perspectives.

Henry Kissinger, in a 2008 conversation with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, emphasized the importance of understanding different worldviews in negotiation, highlighting the need for mutual comprehension and efforts to bridge differences.

Beyond his diplomatic achievements, Kissinger also captured public attention in various other spheres. He was named Gallup’s “Most Admired Man” for three consecutive years in the 1970s, and his vibrant social life, including evenings at New York’s iconic Studio 54, frequently made the news. Known for his wit, he once humorously remarked about the perks of celebrity status in making dull conversations seem the fault of others.

Kissinger leaves behind his wife, Nancy, his two children, Elizabeth and David, from his first marriage, and five grandchildren.

Former President George W. Bush paid tribute to Kissinger, praising his wisdom, charm, and humor. Bush expressed admiration for Kissinger’s journey from fleeing the Nazis as a boy from a Jewish family to fighting them in the U.S. Army, and later rising to the role of Secretary of State. He lauded Kissinger’s contributions across multiple presidential administrations, his valuable advice, and cherished their friendship. Bush’s statement reflected on Kissinger’s personal achievements and the testament they served to American greatness.

Worldview was shaped by the Holocaust

Henry Kissinger, born on May 27, 1923, in Furth, Germany, fled the horrors of Nazi persecution as a Jewish individual and arrived in the United States in 1938. He vividly remembered the harrowing impact of the Holocaust, recalling that about half of his schoolmates and 13 family members perished in concentration camps.

In 1943, he became a U.S. citizen and served in World War II, later pursuing academic excellence by earning his doctorate at Harvard University. Although a career in academia beckoned, Kissinger was drawn to public service, leading him to consult with the State Department and Pentagon on national security issues, and eventually serving as National Security Adviser and Secretary of State under President Nixon.

Nixon, recognizing the significance of Kissinger’s role, highlighted the historic nature of his appointment as Secretary of State during his swearing-in ceremony in 1973, noting it as a milestone for a naturalized citizen in the context of America’s global role.

Kissinger remained one of Nixon’s closest confidants throughout the turbulence of Nixon’s presidency, both domestically and internationally. He was the last of Nixon’s original inner-circle advisers still in place following the Watergate scandal. Nixon’s final moments in the White House were spent with Kissinger, as they reflected on Nixon’s presidency and its abrupt end.

Kissinger described a poignant moment from Nixon’s last night in office in a 2012 CBS News interview, where they prayed together in the Lincoln Sitting Room, a setting that had seen many of their foreign policy discussions.

After Nixon’s resignation, Kissinger continued in his role under President Gerald Ford, but faced challenges, particularly from conservatives opposing his détente approach with the Soviet Union. Additionally, the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, despite previous peace accords, marked a significant setback.

Reflecting on his governmental career, Kissinger once remarked on the fulfillment of leaving one’s country better than before, asserting that no private endeavor could match the interest and fulfillment found in public service.

A legacy that continues to influence US politics

After stepping down from the State Department in 1977, Henry Kissinger embarked on a new chapter as a widely-traveled author and an international consultant. His expertise continued to shape global discussions and debates.

In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Kissinger to lead a commission to investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks. However, Kissinger resigned a month later due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Kissinger’s writings and insights on geopolitics remained influential in both the United States and abroad, essential in foreign policy circles, despite persistent criticism from his detractors. This was evident in 2016, during a heated Democratic presidential debate, where his legacy became a focal point of contention between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Sanders openly criticized Clinton for seeking counsel from Kissinger, highlighting the long-standing divisiveness surrounding Kissinger’s figure.

Kissinger’s role as a statesman accustomed him to criticism as part of his career. In a 2008 conversation with Fareed Zakaria, he reflected on his journey, noting that the expression of vehement opposing viewpoints was natural and perhaps indicative of the significance of his actions and beliefs. His perspective suggests that for a figure who shaped diplomacy in such profound ways, controversy was an inevitable companion to his achievements.