Henry Kissinger, a formidable figure in diplomacy, whose significant roles as a national security adviser and secretary of state under two U.S. presidents, profoundly influenced the nation’s foreign policy landscape, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 100. This announcement came from his geopolitical consulting firm, Kissinger Associates Inc., and specified that he died at his residence in Connecticut. The statement did not provide details regarding the circumstances of his death but mentioned plans for a private family service, followed by a public memorial service in New York City at a later date.
Kissinger remained active well beyond his centenary, participating in White House meetings, authoring a book on leadership styles, and testifying before a Senate committee on the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. In July 2023, he even surprised many with a visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
His influence during the 1970s, amidst the Cold War, left an enduring mark on global events as he served as national security adviser and secretary of state under Republican President Richard Nixon. Born Heinz Alfred Kissinger in Furth, Germany, on May 27, 1923, he fled with his family to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazi persecution of European Jewry. He later became a naturalized U.S. citizen, served in the Army during World War II, and pursued higher education at Harvard University.
Kissinger’s diplomatic endeavors in the 1970s played a pivotal role in shaping historical events. His efforts resulted in the U.S. establishing diplomatic ties with China, landmark arms control talks with the Soviet Union, enhanced relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.
While praised for his brilliance and extensive experience, Kissinger faced criticism for supporting anti-communist dictatorships in Latin America, leading to accusations of being a war criminal. In his later years, he encountered restrictions on his travels as other nations sought to question or arrest him regarding past U.S. foreign policy decisions.
The controversy surrounding Kissinger peaked with his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, awarded jointly with North Vietnam’s Le Duc Tho, who declined the honor. The selection sparked resignations within the Nobel committee, highlighting concerns about the secret U.S. bombing of Cambodia.
Despite Nixon’s resignation in 1974 due to the Watergate scandal, Kissinger continued to wield influence as secretary of state under President Gerald Ford. However, his reputation faced criticism, with some viewing him as paranoid and egotistic. Ford himself acknowledged Kissinger’s thin skin, stating that “Henry in his mind never made a mistake.”
Kissinger’s persona, characterized by a dour expression and a gravelly, German-accented voice, blended the image of a serious academic with that of a charismatic figure who accompanied starlets in his bachelor days, famously declaring that “power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”
His diplomatic journey began during his tenure at Harvard, where he served as a faculty member for 17 years. In 1967, he acted as an intermediary for the State Department in Vietnam, using his connections to facilitate communication between President Lyndon Johnson’s administration and the Nixon camp.
When Nixon assumed the presidency in 1969, Kissinger became the national security adviser, contributing to the strategy of “Vietnamization” aimed at shifting the war’s burden from U.S. forces to the South Vietnamese. Despite his declaration in 1972 that “peace is at hand,” the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 merely preceded the Communist takeover of South Vietnam in 1975.
In addition to his role as national security adviser, Kissinger became secretary of state in 1973, granting him undisputed authority in foreign affairs. His “shuttle diplomacy” during the Arab-Israeli conflict led to a disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.
Kissinger’s strategic outreach extended to China, culminating in Nixon’s historic summit with Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing. The subsequent formalization of relations between the United States and China marked a significant diplomatic achievement.
The Watergate scandal did little to tarnish Kissinger’s reputation, as he was not implicated in the cover-up. He continued as secretary of state under President Ford but was replaced as national security adviser to incorporate more voices into foreign policy discussions.
Kissinger’s diplomatic finesse played a crucial role in the Vladivostok summit with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1974, leading to a framework for a strategic arms pact. Despite his successes, criticism arose for his inability to persuade Israel and Egypt to agree on a second-stage disengagement in the Sinai in 1975.
The India-Pakistan War of 1971 also brought scrutiny, with Kissinger and Nixon criticized for favoring Pakistan. His derogatory remarks about the Indians further fueled discontent. His actions in Latin America, including plotting with the CIA to destabilize Chilean President Salvador Allende and supporting military dictators in Argentina, raised suspicions and led to enduring skepticism toward U.S. policies in the region.
Kissinger’s influence waned after Ford’s loss to Jimmy Carter in 1976, with the subsequent Republican president, Ronald Reagan, distancing himself from Kissinger due to perceived ideological differences. Post-government service, Kissinger established a prominent consulting firm in New York, advising global corporate leaders and engaging in various foreign policy and security forums.
In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, President George W. Bush appointed Kissinger to head an investigative committee. However, criticism from Democrats, citing conflicts of interest with his consulting firm’s clients, compelled Kissinger to step down from the position.
Amidst his political journey, Kissinger’s personal life included a divorce from his first wife, Ann Fleischer, in 1964, and a subsequent marriage to Nancy Maginnes in 1974. He leaves behind a complex legacy, remembered as both a towering figure in diplomacy and a controversial figure whose actions generated significant debate and scrutiny.
