Kissinger dies aged 100: Why was the top US diplomat so controversial? | DW News

Henry Kissinger, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his diplomatic achievements and contentious policies, died on Wednesday, aged 100. Kissinger was a contentious figure in US foreign policy, playing a key role during the war in Vietnam, and in solidifying US-China relations, while serving as secretary of state and national security advisor.

A contentious legacy
Known for his significant influence on US foreign policy as Secretary of State under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Kissinger's legacy is marked by his decisive role in ending the Vietnam War, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Kissinger had a major role in opening US diplomatic relations with the Chinese Communist Party during the Nixon administration, and remained a popular figure in China. He also negotiated a landmark arms control agreement between the US and Soviet Union in the 1970s. In 1973, Kissinger's intense "shuttle diplomacy" that eased tensions between Israel and Arab countries following the 1973 Yom Kippur earned him diplomatic plaudits across the US political spectrum.

However, Kissinger's role in authorizing the US bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War left a mark on his legacy. The, which was intended to target troop movements supporting North Vietnam, killed thousands of civilians and helped spawn the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Kissinger was also criticized for his backing for anti-communist regimes in Latin America. His approach to foreign policy faced criticism for prioritizing national interest over democratic ideals. In 2022, when asked in an interview if he regretted any of his decisions, the former diplomat said: "I've been thinking about these problems all my life. It's my hobby as well as my occupation. And so, the recommendations I made were the best of which I was then capable." Kissinger was involved in global politics until his final months. In July, he met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing in a surprise visit, amid tumultuous bilateral relations between the United States and China.

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