The Evolving Legacy of Henry Kissinger

Henry Kissinger, former national security adviser and secretary of state, is remembered as an improviser rather than a master strategist. His racist beliefs and emotional temperament were often masked by his sophisticated-sounding accent. Kissinger's preferred political reality was one prescribed by American military power, and he consolidated his power in the Nixon White House by controlling decision-making and information flow. He played a significant role in the secret bombing campaign in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, despite evidence that it had little effect on North Vietnamese forces. Kissinger's career was marked by involvement in "little wars" in various parts of the world, including Latin America and Africa.