Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the American diplomat who dominated foreign policy as the United States extricated itself from Vietnam and broke down barriers with China, died Wednesday at the age of 100.
Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut, according to his geopolitical consulting firm Kissinger Associates Inc. He exerted great influence on global affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, earning both vilification and the Nobel Peace Prize.
He was a pivotal figure in US foreign policy and shaped global events in the 1970s. Born in Germany in 1923, Kissinger fled the Nazis in 1938 and became a US citizen in 1943. Serving as a key adviser during Nixon’s presidency, he orchestrated diplomatic openings with China, US-Soviet arms control talks, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.
Despite acclaim for brilliance, Kissinger faced criticism for supporting anti-communist regimes in Latin America, earning accusations of war crimes. His controversial 1973 Nobel Peace Prize, shared with North Vietnam’s Le Duc Tho, stirred resignations within the Nobel committee. The Watergate scandal led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974, diminishing Kissinger’s dominance, yet he remained a diplomatic force under President Gerald Ford.
Kissinger’s diplomatic acumen had limitations. In 1975, he faced failure in persuading Israel and Egypt on a Sinai disengagement. The India-Pakistan War of 1971 drew criticism for favouring Pakistan, with Kissinger’s derogatory remarks about the Indians causing regret. Fearful of left-wing ideas, he plotted with the CIA against Chilean President Allende in 1970.
Post-government service, Kissinger set up a renowned consulting firm, advised corporate elites, and engaged in media commentary. George W. Bush selected him to head a 9/11 investigative committee, but controversy led to his resignation. Divorced in 1964, Kissinger married Nancy Maginnes in 1974, having two children from his first marriage. His influential legacy sparks ongoing debate, with accolades for diplomatic prowess contrasting accusations of moral compromise.