Henry Kissinger died: biography, why he became famous, how he treated Russia and the USSR

Henry Kissinger

Photo: GLOBAL LOOK PRESS

Legendary American politician Henry Kissinger has died. He died in his home at the age of 100.

Kissinger is remembered as a staunch defender of Anglo-Saxon rule, who was not perceived as a classic “hawk”, but as a kind of “prudent” political predator who would not peck anyone just for pleasure, just out of necessity.

The years of entry of a Jewish émigré from Germany into the American leadership as national security advisor to the president and secretary of state are associated with the move toward “realpolitik,” which led in the early 1970s to “détente and detente.” peaceful coexistence of the two systems.” Kissinger, who went down in the history of diplomacy with his art of “shuttle negotiations,” achieved a lot. Once relations between the United States and the USSR were normalized, symbolized by President Nixon’s visit to General Secretary Brezhnev in 1972, the American Secretary of State managed almost simultaneously to find a “key” to the Chinese leadership, which was openly in conflict with the Soviet leadership. At that time. And I must admit that everyone was happy with that.

Kissinger was notable both for the settlement of the war in Vietnam (to whose outbreak he initially contributed) and for the separation of the Arabs from the Israelis in the corners of the military “ring” during the conflicts of 1968 and 1973. He contributed greatly to the mass emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union. He pulled the secret strings of bloody coups in Latin America, mainly in Chile and Argentina. President Allende was overthrown by General Pinochet with American support just as Kissinger was advising the American president on foreign policy.

There were many things in the life of the Jewish boy Heinz, who became Henry in America. Or maybe it wouldn’t have happened: the Kissinger family fled the Nazis just in time; His relatives, who remained in Germany, died in the Holocaust.

Henry Kissinger, who became an American citizen after joining the American army during World War II, measured his destiny in leaps and bounds: service in military intelligence, excellent studies at Harvard, work in leading American “think tanks” as a specialist in nuclear weapons. Some even claim that he also worked in the CIA, well, at least in the structures with which this organization is “friendly”. And he himself gave grounds for such assumptions, saying in the early 1990s in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin: “All decent people started in intelligence.” By the way, the Russian president met periodically with Kissinger and always found time to talk with the “guru of international politics” during his visits to the United States or when Kissinger visited Russia.

“Who are you, Dr. Kissinger?” – This question has interested many for a long time. But the hero himself obviously preferred to remain a little in the shadow of the events, although everyone knew who “turned on the light” of these events. Sometimes he continued the game to increase the intrigue. In 1972, when Kissinger simultaneously distinguished himself in American politics on the Soviet and Chinese fronts, Playboy magazine named him “the most desirable man of the year,” emphasizing his successes in politics and with women. The politician himself clearly supported this topic, not unintentionally, repeatedly stating that “the best aphrodisiac is power.”

Kissinger’s opinion was always heard. His books were read carefully by experts and politicians. His advice was taken into account. The main thing for us is to remember that he always spoke “for his own” and defended his interests. If pragmatism recommended that he seek common ground with his opponents, then he did so, but not at all because he was concerned about the interests of his opponents/enemies. It is simply not necessary to bring them to the hopelessness stage, then they can become even more dangerous. Therefore, Kissinger did not and could not have any sympathy for Russia, and before that for the Soviet Union. He simply did not agree with those who wanted and want to turn us into dust. No, we must agree on the conditions under which we will comply with his rules. So the control is more reliable…

Kissinger still surprises with the accuracy of his ideas.

How about this? “Through social networks, currents of majority opinions reach users and the person loses the ability to reflect. (…) All this weakens the strength necessary to develop one’s own convictions and walk alone along a certain path; Without it it is impossible to create something new. The impact of Internet technologies on politics is particularly notable. (…) Political leaders are busy with specific pressures, they have no time to think about the context and therefore there is no need to broaden their worldview. In the digital world, speed is a priority, which prevents reflection, radicals gain an advantage over thoughtful people, values ​​are formed by the consensus of a subgroup, and not through the process of reflection.

It is true that it helps to understand many current Western politicians, Annulena Berbock, for example? Written five years ago. And even before she warned: “The Internet is depriving society of historical memory. People forget what they think can always be clarified and remember what they think cannot be clarified. By moving so much information into accessible space, the Internet deprives a person of the desire to remember…”