Henry Kissinger is dead on November 29, 2023. The most powerful Post-war Secretary of State he planned the opening of the USA to China, the repercussions of which are still evident today, he negotiated their exit from Vietnam and used cunning (also receiving a Nobel Peace Prize in 1973), ambition and intellect to reshape American power relations with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, sometimes trampling democratic values to do so. The figure of Kissinger was also influential in the context of the Middle East, coining the so-called "shuttle diplomacy" to resolve the 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict even if it did not achieve lasting peace. One of the most brilliant minds of the last century passed away at the age of 100, on May 27, 2023. He maintained extreme lucidity until the end. Just a few months ago Kissinger warned the world about the dangers of artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, in the pages of the Wall Street Journal.
Personal friend of Lawyer Agnelli, Juventus fan, he married twice. He has been advisor to 12 presidents – more than a quarter of those who have held the office – from John F. Kennedy to Joseph R. Biden Jr. With a scholar's knowledge of diplomatic history, the drive of a German-Jewish refugee, a deep sense of security and a Bavarian accent that sometimes added an indecipherable element to his statements, transformed almost every global relationship he touched.
Few diplomats have been celebrated e criticized with as much passion as Kissinger. He has sometimes been hailed as the master of realpolitik who reshaped diplomacy to reflect American interests. At the same time, he has been widely criticized for abandoning those values, particularly in the human rights arena, to achieve political goals.
Who was Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger, born in Fürth, Germany, is a leading figure in the political and academic landscape of the last century. His life was marked by an extraordinary diplomatic career and has a profound influence on international politics.
Kissinger emigrated to the United States in 1938, fleeing Nazi persecution. Here, he undertook studies at Harvard University, where he obtained his doctorate in international relations in 1954. This was the beginning of an academic career that would see him become one of the most respected scholars of foreign policy.
The worldwide impact
The turning point in his life occurred in 1969, when the President Richard Nixon appointed him national security advisor. Kissinger quickly became a key figure in the Nixon administration, playing a crucial role in the secret negotiations with North Vietnam, which led to the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, ending the Vietnam War.
Kissinger subsequently became Secretary of State, a position he held during the Ford administration. During his tenure, he contributed to the détente between United States and the Soviet Union, playing a crucial role in the signing of Strategic Arms Limitation Agreements (SALT).
His diplomatic skill was also manifested in the negotiations for the recognition of Republic of China by the United States, a historic event that occurred in 1979. Kissinger was the architect of a new balance of power in the international arena, opening channels of communication between nations that had been historically adversarial.
Kissinger's “black” soul
However, Kissinger's career was not without disputes. His realpolitik policy, which often put national interests ahead of ethical considerations, has been the subject of criticism, especially regarding secret bombings in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Some see his actions as cynical and immoral, as he sometimes seemed willing to sacrifice moral values to achieve political goals. Kissinger often operated in the shadows, conducting secret negotiations and playing a key role in policy decisions away from the public eye. This approach has fueled suspicions and contributed to criticism of his lack of transparency.
After his political career, Kissinger returned to the world academic and has written numerous books that reflect his vision of international politics. His writing style reflects his in-depth understanding of world affairs, and his writings are considered foundational for anyone wanting to understand contemporary geopolitics.
His life and career continue and will continue to be studied and debated, testifying to the complexity and depth of his contributions to the world.
