Biden says he ‘often strongly’ disagreed with Kissinger after diplomat’s death
Henry Kissinger leaves behind a complex legacy, remembered as a master of global politics by some and an alleged war criminal by others
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Henry Kissinger, a Holocaust survivor who became the US’s most influential – and divisive – diplomat, has died at the age of 100.
Kissinger leaves behind a complex legacy, remembered as a master of global politics by some and an alleged war criminal by others.
Born in Bavaria, his family fled to New York City to escape the Holocaust – an experience that would go on to shape his future foreign policy work.
As President Richard Nixon’s National Security Advisor, Kissinger was responsible for negotiating the US’s exit from the unpopular Vietnam War. He won a Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic work – but his legacy was then tainted when it emerged he had authorised the secret carpet-bombing of neutral Cambodia, which killed at least 150,000 civilians.
Beyond his diplomacy work, Kissinger briefly enjoyed a reputation as an unlikely ladies’ man and social butterfly in Washington DC, dating several stars of the time before marrying his second wife Nancy – who survives him.
Reactions from political and diplomatic allies and foes poured in after his death on Wednesday, with former president George W Bush remembering “his wisdom, his charm, and his humour”.
Joe Biden on Thursday said that he had “often strongly” disagreed with Kissinger but praised his “fierce intellect.”
Antony Blinken describes Kissinger’s impact on US secretary role
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Henry Kissinger, who served in the role from 1973 to 1977, “set the standard” for all future secretaries.
While speaking with Israeli President Issac Herzog on Thursday, Mr Blinken briefly addressed Kissinger’s death, which was announced on Wednesday evening.
“Secretary Kissinger really set the standard for everyone who followed in this job. I was very privileged to get his counsel many times, including as recently as about a month ago,” Mr Blinken said.
Kissinger is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American foreign policy. While serving as secretary of state he played a large role in helping decide how the US approached the Vietnam War, the Bangladesh Liberation War, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and more.
Mr Blinken said Kissinger was “was extraordinarily generous with his wisdom” and cited him as a major figure in shaping history.
Henry Kissinger: A life in pictures
Kissinger leaves behind a complicated legacy, seen at times as a master of global politics and criticised for his orchestration of the secret carpet-bombing of neutral Cambodia during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Andrea Blanco reports:
Henry Kissinger: A life in pictures
The death of Kissinger, hailed by many as the architect of American foreign policy, was announced on Wednesday. Andrea Blanco and Ariana Baio report
Watch: Henry Kissinger, America’s most famous diplomat, dies aged 100
John Kirby calls Kissinger’s death “huge loss"
During the White House briefing on Thursday, National Security Council John Kirby called the death of Henry Kissinger a “huge loss.”
Mr Kirby offered his condolences to Kissinger’s family, including his wife Nancy, and reflected on his impact on American foreign politics.
“This was a man who, whether you agree with him or not, whether you hold the same views or not, he served in World War II in his country, bravely in uniform and for decades after which I think we can all be grateful for and appreciate,” Mr Kirby said.
He noted that Kissinger “shaped foreign policy decisions for decades.”
From Cambodia to Bangladesh: a brief history of Henry Kissinger’s alleged war crimes
In his eight years at the helm of US foreign policy, Henry Kissinger’s unique brand of realpolitik diplomacy was blamed for genocides, massacres, rape and torture on an industrial scale.
The architect of US efforts to contain the Soviet Union during the Cold War prioritised ideology over morality, and was responsible for the deaths of three to four million people between the years of 1969 and 1976, according to experts including Yale University historian Greg Grandin, the author of Kissinger’s Shadow.
As Secretary of State under the Nixon and Ford administrations, he pursued an interventionist approach to world affairs that shaped the thinking of a generation of neocons who would come after him.
In his 2001 book The Trial of Henry Kissinger, legendary British author Christopher Hitchens methodically laid out the case for the grand old US statesman to be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit murder, kidnap, and torture.
Bevan Hurley reports:
A brief history of Henry Kissinger’s alleged history of war crimes
Henry Kissinger sided with military dictators and genocidal regimes in his pursuit of projecting US power during the Cold War, resulting in the deaths of millions of innocents, Bevan Hurley reports
Vladimir Putin sends condolences to wife of Kissinger
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Nancy Kissinger, the window of Kissinger, his condolences in a telegram, according to Reuters.
“The name of Henry Kissinger is inextricably linked with a pragmatic foreign policy line, which at one time made it possible to achieve detente in international tensions and reach the most important Soviet-American agreements that contributed to the strengthening of global security,” Mr Putin said.
“I had the opportunity to personally communicate with this deep, extraordinary man many times, and I will undoubtedly retain the fondest memory of him.”
World leaders recognise Kissinger’s diplomacy
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called Henry Kissinger’s death the “end of an era” and recognised him as a friend and scholar.
“Dr Kissinger’s departure marks the end of an era, one in which his formidable intellect and diplomatic prowess shaped not only the course of American foreign policy but also had a profound impact on the global stage,” Mr Netanyahu said.
Mr Netanyahu praised Kissinger’s intelligence, contributions to international relations and “extraordinary capabilities.”
“As we bid farewell to this giant of a man, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and admirers around the world. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations of leaders and diplomats. May his memory be a blessing,” he added.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union Commission, recognised Kissinger’s impact on American politics in a statement posted on X.
“His influence and legacy will continue to reverberate well into the 21st century,” Ms von der Leyen said.
Biden says he ‘often strongly’ disagreed with Kissinger in new statement
Joe Biden said he “often strongly” disagreed with Henry Kissinger, as he issued a statement to mark the polarising diplomat’s death at the age of 100.
“I’ll never forget the first time I met Dr. Kissinger. I was a young Senator, and he was Secretary of State—giving a briefing on the state of the world. Throughout our careers, we often disagreed. And often strongly,” said the president on Thursday.
“But from that first briefing -- his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident. Long after retiring from government, he continued to offer his views and ideas to the most important policy discussion across multiple generations.
“Jill and I send our condolences to his wife Nancy, his children Elizabeth and David, his grandchildren, and all those who loved him.”
Chinese state media pays tribute to Kissinger: ‘The old friend of the Chinese people’
“Today, this ‘old friend of the Chinese people,’ who had a sharp vision and a thorough understanding of world affairs, has completed his legendary life,” China News said in an obituary.
On Weibo, the hashtag “Kissinger just came to China this year” went viral. Henry Kissinger visited China more than 100 times in his lifetime and more recently in July this year.
CCTV, the state broadcaster, called Kissinger a “legendary diplomat” and a “living fossil” who had been a witness to the development of China-US relationship.
Henry Kissinger warned that Israel’s war could engulf the Arab world
Former top US diplomat Henry Kissinger warned that the war in Israel and Gaza could engulf the rest of the Arab world and throw the international status quo into chaos, during his final interview.
Kissinger died on Wednesday aged 100.
He sat for an interview on German television just days after the Hamas terror attack on 7 October, during which he said he believed there had to be “some penalty” for the bloodshed, and rejected calls for peace in the region, according to Insider.
Graig Graziosi reports:
Kissinger warned just before his death that Israel’s war could engulf the Arab world
Henry Kissinger died on Wednesday aged 100
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