Henry Kissinger, a dominating and polarizing force in US foreign policy, dies at 100

Henry Kissinger, a Dominating and Polarizing Force in US Foreign Policy, Dies at 100

Henry Kissinger, the former US secretary of state and national security advisor who played a pivotal role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War, died on Wednesday at the age of 100. Kissinger was a complex and controversial figure, revered by some for his diplomatic acumen and pragmatism, and reviled by others for his role in the Vietnam War and other foreign policy interventions.

Kissinger's Early Life and Rise to Power

Kissinger was born in Fürth, Germany, in 1923. His family fled Nazi Germany in 1938 and settled in New York City. Kissinger served in the US Army during World War II and then went on to study at Harvard University, where he earned a PhD in international relations.

After graduating from Harvard, Kissinger worked as a consultant to the US government and taught at Harvard and Columbia universities. He became involved in Republican politics in the 1960s and served as an advisor to President Richard Nixon during his 1968 presidential campaign.

Kissinger's Role in US Foreign Policy

Kissinger was appointed national security advisor in 1969 and secretary of state in 1973. He served in these positions until 1977, during which time he played a key role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War.

Kissinger's most significant foreign policy achievement was his role in negotiating the end of US involvement in the Vietnam War. He also played a key role in opening up relations with China, which had been closed off to the United States for decades.>

Kissinger's foreign policy was also marked by controversy. He was criticized for his support of the Vietnam War and for his role in the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Chile in 1973.

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Kissinger's Legacy

Kissinger was a towering figure in US foreign policy for nearly half a century. He was a brilliant strategist and negotiator, but he was also a controversial figure who was both admired and reviled.

Kissinger's legacy is likely to be debated for years to come. His supporters argue that he was a realist who made tough decisions in a complex world. His critics argue that he was a ruthless pragmatist who was willing to sacrifice human rights in the name of national security.

Regardless of one's view of Kissinger's legacy, there is no doubt that he was a consequential figure who shaped the course of history.