Growing up Jews in America we were not big fans of Kissinger since he opposes the Jackson- Vanik amendment which called for freedom for Soviet Jewry. We also were upset about his not meeting Solzhenitsyn. We highly appreciated his and Nixon’’s understanding that Israel was a key element in the US’s anti- Soviet foreign policy- especially in 1973. I did Over the years come to appreciate his insight and wisdom. People can disagree on policy and still have respect. He was a great man. We could use another like him these days.
Henry Kissinger was a genuine intellectual—a rarity in American politics. His ideas were, as I mentioned, rooted in an historical sensibility. It was remarkable that he and Richard Nixon forged such a productive relationship. But then Nixon was, for all his flaws, something of a deep thinker himself, particularly where foreign policy was concerned. The three books that Kissinger wrote covering his years of public service are well worth reading for that story alone.
Beautiful piece. It’s not that there is nothing about Kissinger to criticize; it’s that his critics are incredibly ignorant, and so blind to their own failings as to make the criticism meaningless.
Growing up Jews in America we were not big fans of Kissinger since he opposes the Jackson- Vanik amendment which called for freedom for Soviet Jewry. We also were upset about his not meeting Solzhenitsyn. We highly appreciated his and Nixon’’s understanding that Israel was a key element in the US’s anti- Soviet foreign policy- especially in 1973. I did Over the years come to appreciate his insight and wisdom. People can disagree on policy and still have respect. He was a great man. We could use another like him these days.
Henry Kissinger was a genuine intellectual—a rarity in American politics. His ideas were, as I mentioned, rooted in an historical sensibility. It was remarkable that he and Richard Nixon forged such a productive relationship. But then Nixon was, for all his flaws, something of a deep thinker himself, particularly where foreign policy was concerned. The three books that Kissinger wrote covering his years of public service are well worth reading for that story alone.
Agree with all points.
Beautiful piece. It’s not that there is nothing about Kissinger to criticize; it’s that his critics are incredibly ignorant, and so blind to their own failings as to make the criticism meaningless.
Yes, that was exactly my point.