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Henry Kissinger, the most influential U.S. diplomat during the Cold War, has passed away at the age of 100. The German-born Jewish refugee, whose career shifted from academia to diplomacy, died at his home in Connecticut, according to Kissinger Associates, his geopolitical consulting firm.
President Joe Biden took nearly 24 hours after the news broke before issuing a statement acknowledging Kissinger’s death, hinting at past disagreements while also recognizing his “fierce intellect and profound strategic focus.” Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden waited nearly 24 hours after the announcement of Kissinger’s death to issue a statement, stating that they often disagreed, but acknowledged Kissinger’s “fierce intellect and profound strategic focus.”Earlier, Biden’s national security spokesperson, John Kirby, praised Kissinger’s influential role in shaping foreign policy for decades, in part on projecting America’s role in the world.
Although Kissinger was praised for his intelligence and statesmanship, others viewed him as a war criminal due to his support for anti-communist dictatorships, particularly in Latin America. U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, remarked, “few people were better students of history – and even fewer people did more to shape history – than Henry Kissinger.”
Kissinger’s controversial legacy was on full display when countries around the world extended tributes and received acknowledgments from international leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who referred to Kissinger as a “wise and farsighted statesman” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled their meetings with Kissinger as a “master class in statesmanship.”
Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdul Momen, however, remembered his role in the 1971 war between West and East Pakistan that led to the formation of Bangladesh and said that Kissinger was “dead against the people of then-East Pakistan,” calling upon him to apologize for his actions.
With his distinctive German-accented voice, Kissinger was never shy to offer his opinion. Ford called him a “super secretary of state” but also noted his prickliness and self-assurance, saying, “Henry in his mind never made a mistake.”
Kissinger’s legacy has had a lasting impact while continuing to stir controversy from both his allies and critics alike. Former U.S. Ambassador to China, Winston Lord, described him as a “tireless advocate for peace,” while some Democrats criticized his involvement in George W. Bush’s investigative committee due to what they saw as a conflict of interest with the clients of his consulting firm. Later in his life, he remained active by attending meetings, publishing a book on leadership, and making surprising visits to meet with foreign leaders, emphasizing the lasting influence of his work.
