What are your thoughts on Henry Kissinger?

[imfreeze95]

The death of Henry Kissinger (dead as of November 29th this year was not exactly a surprise as he was a centenarian. But it is the end of an era. I have strongly mixed feelings about him.

What are your thoughts and why?

[WindAtMyBack]

I remember him well during the time he was Secretary, but I didn't follow him after that.

He came across as a brilliant man who had an excellent grasp on international politics and diplomacy. There was always something suspicious about him, but I never had any concrete reason for thinking that.

He was largely behind the reduction in tension between the US and China, and the US and The Soviet Union. He was behind the thawing of the cold war, and opening dialog with both China and Soviet Union.

Dialog with the Soviet Union led to the SALT treaties, which were the forerunner of a major reduction of 90% of the world's nukes.

He was a realist who dealt with the real world, which of necessity meant dealing with some less than savory people. Anyone involved in world politics has to deal with unsavory characters, which usually gets a lot of criticism, even though it''s necessary.

I don't know why people are so critical of him. Maybe it's because he didn't try to "dumb down" what he said in public, which made people suspicious of things far outside their knowledge. Or maybe people have been reading too much Illuminati conspiracy novels.

[Curmudgeon]

He did introduce many Americans (like myself) to "Realpolitik". American foreign policy before him would oscillate between idealistic do-gooder crusades abroad, followed by disillusionment and isolationism, ignoring an increasingly dangerous world. Kissinger understood a pragmatic middle ground between the two.

[bededazzle]

my impression is he attacked and retaliated to show who’s boss. he had an inflated idea about how important the us is. but i mean, i guess it takes someone like him to make tough decisions too. overall, not a fan, but you know, no extreme emotions

[Miristheiss]

I have heard his name and know he has had government roles over the years but I am not an expert and I do not have any opinions one way or the other.

[ibodi]

I dont know him but his name is interesting.

I heard him makeing one child policy in China so I dont know why is he famous.

[Snakeyes7]

Dude was as a warmonger who wasted tax money on pointless conflicts that had no overall bearing as to whether we won or lost and we lost them anyway.

I can't say we are worse off without him.

[Curmudgeon]

You don't think the idealistic do-gooders who were enamored with the idea of "nation building" had more to do with that in the last couple of decades?

[Snakeyes7]

@Curmudgeon Yeah, those "nation-builders" likely stemmed from Kissinger.

[Curmudgeon]

@Snakeyes7 did rhey? I do recall Dr. K warning the Bush (The Younger) Admin to *not* try "nation building" in Iraq or Afghanistan. That said, Dr. K was said to be pragmatic to the point of ruthlessness, so there was that.

[Curmudgeon]

Did they, ugh typos

[Jackblue]

He was the last politician who did what needed doing.

[Jerre]

A Supurb Statesman, one of our best Secreatary of State, helped end the Vietnam War.

[888theGreat]

I would guess he is in Hell about now and his policies got people killed.

[ThrillSeeker01]

An accomplished statesman.

[gorydetails]

I hope he’s roasting in Hell.

[Paris13]

Fuzzy? lolxx