• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Five things to know about Henry Kissinger, a dominant figure in global affairs in the 1970s
Economy

Five things to know about Henry Kissinger, a dominant figure in global affairs in the 1970s

by November 30, 2023
by November 30, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who died Wednesday at age 100, exerted far-reaching influence on global affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford between 1969 and 1977, earning both vilification and the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here are five things to know about his life in government and beyond:

HIS PORTFOLIO

For eight restless years — first as national security adviser, later as secretary of state, and for a time as both — Kissinger played a dominant role in foreign policy. 

He conducted the first ‘shuttle diplomacy’ in the quest for Middle East peace. He used secret negotiations to restore ties between the United States and China. He initiated the Paris talks that ultimately provided a face-saving means to get the United States out of war in Vietnam. And he pursued detente with the Soviet Union that led to arms-control agreements.

HIS BOSS

Kissinger’s power grew during the turmoil of the Watergate scandal, when the politically attuned diplomat took on a role akin to co-president to the weakened Nixon. ‘No doubt my vanity was piqued,’ Kissinger later wrote of his expanding influence during Watergate. ‘But the dominant emotion was a premonition of catastrophe.’ 

Kissinger told colleagues at the White House that he was the one person who kept Nixon, ‘that drunken lunatic,’ from doing things that would ‘blow up the world,’ according to Walter Isaacson, who wrote the 1992 biography ‘Kissinger.’

HIS CACHET

Pudgy and messy, Kissinger acquired a reputation as a ladies’ man in the staid Nixon administration. Kissinger called women ‘a diversion, a hobby.’ Isaacson wrote that Hollywood executives were eager to set him up with starlets, whom Kissinger squired to premieres and showy restaurants. His companions included Jill St. John, Shirley MacLaine, Marlo Thomas, Candice Bergen and Liv Ullmann. 

In a poll of Playboy Club Bunnies in 1972, the man dubbed ‘Super-K’ by Newsweek finished first as ‘the man I would most like to go out on a date with.’ Kissinger’s explanation: ‘Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.’

HIS CRITICS

Kissinger for decades battled the notion that he and Nixon had settled in 1972 for peace terms in Vietnam that had been available in 1969 and thus had needlessly prolonged the war at the cost of tens of thousands of American lives. 

He was castigated for authorizing telephone wiretaps of reporters and his own National Security Council staff to plug news leaks in Nixon’s White House. He was denounced on college campuses for the bombing and allied invasion of Cambodia in April 1970, intended to destroy North Vietnamese supply lines to communist forces in South Vietnam. 

That ‘incursion,’ as Nixon and Kissinger called it, was blamed by some for contributing to Cambodia’s fall into the hands of Khmer Rouge insurgents.

HIS LATER YEARS

Kissinger cultivated the reputation of respected elder statesman, giving speeches, offering advice to Republican and Democratic presidents alike and managing a lucrative global consulting business as he traveled the world. 

But records from the Nixon era, released over the years, brought with them revelations that sometimes cast him in a harsh light. Kissinger was dogged by critics at home and abroad who argued that he should be called to account for his policies on Southeast Asia and support of repressive regimes in Latin America. 

He had to think twice before traveling to certain countries to be sure that he would not be summoned by judges seeking to question him about Nixon-era actions.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • North Korea slams Pentagon WMD threat report, vows ‘most overwhelming’ response
  • North Korea runs simulation nuclear counterstrike against foreign enemies
  • DeSantis response to Trump attack sparks laughs from Iowa crowd: ‘Are you kidding me?’
  • GOP senator snaps at union boss during heated hearing: ‘Shut your mouth’
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Top Ivy League school hosts Chinese official who has repeatedly praised CCP: ‘Fruitful discussions’
next post
More discounts — and pitfalls — await holiday shopping procrastinators

You may also like

Jeffries and the Democrats are sitting pretty amid House GOP...

October 21, 2023

Trump push to dismantle Education Department met with enthusiasm in...

August 14, 2024

Trump, Biden agree on one thing about the Republican primary

January 25, 2024

Ex-NSA official Harry Coker confirmed as White House cyber chief...

December 13, 2023

President Biden wraps up rambling Vietnam presser in candid way:...

September 11, 2023

Biden continues vacation for second straight week despite saying he...

August 29, 2024

House GOP demands Secret Service director face accountability in new...

July 22, 2024

Harris lacked confidence, presidential demeanor in first TV interview: body...

August 30, 2024

American businesses love AI. But what do consumers think?

December 4, 2023

Mike Johnson on the clock

November 24, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Oil prices rise more than 1% as Israel vows to intensify attacks on Iran

      June 20, 2025
    • RRG Alert Tech Vaults to ‘Leading’—Is XLK Signaling a New Rally?

      June 20, 2025
    • Apple looking to make ‘premium’-priced folding iPhones starting next year, analyst says

      June 20, 2025
    • Nike pushes back Skims launch with Kim Kardashian due to production delays

      June 19, 2025
    • The Fed Is Getting It Wrong AGAIN As They Hold Rates Steady

      June 19, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,599 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,874 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,578 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,541 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,417 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,142)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,621)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Oil prices rise more than 1% as Israel vows to...

      June 20, 2025
    • RRG Alert Tech Vaults to ‘Leading’—Is XLK Signaling a New...

      June 20, 2025
    • Apple looking to make ‘premium’-priced folding iPhones starting next year,...

      June 20, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,142)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,621)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Trump: Fauci was not ‘big player’...

    September 7, 2023

    Max inclusivity: Harris campaign is letting...

    August 14, 2024

    Energy workers haven’t forgotten and won’t...

    January 19, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here