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  • 11/30/2023
After a life span that lasted a century, Henry Kissinger, the influential diplomat and former US Secretary of State, has passed away at his home in Connecticut. Known for his gravelly voice and enigmatic persona, Kissinger's legacy is filled with controversies and historical impact.

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Transcript
00:00 After a lifespan that lasted a century, Henry Kissinger, the influential diplomat and former
00:08 U.S. Secretary of State, has passed away at his home in Connecticut.
00:13 Known for his gravelly voice and enigmatic persona, Kissinger's legacy is filled with
00:18 controversies and historical impact.
00:24 Kissinger, who escaped the clutches of Nazi Germany as a Jewish teenager, evolved from
00:29 an academic to a celebrity.
00:31 A self-confessed secret swinger who dated pinups, his influence as an advisor to Presidents
00:38 Nixon and Ford left an indelible mark on the course of history.
00:46 The debate surrounding Kissinger's legacy continues.
00:49 His diplomatic successes, such as the opening of China to the U.S. and landmark U.S.-Soviet
00:55 arms deals, are recognized.
00:58 However, his role in the Vietnam War and support for anti-communist dictatorships, particularly
01:04 in Latin America, remain divisive.
01:07 At the age of 98, Kissinger co-authored a book on artificial intelligence in 2021, showcasing
01:13 a modern side to the seasoned diplomat.
01:16 His longevity and continued activity were highlighted by his son David Kissinger ahead
01:20 of his centenary birthday bash attended by current U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
01:26 Born in 1923 in Germany, Kissinger's life story embodies the classic U.S. immigration
01:35 success.
01:36 Fleeing anti-Semitism, his family settled in New York in 1938.
01:41 Kissinger served in the U.S. Army, facing combat in the Battle of the Bulge.
01:45 His native German-speaking skills earned him counterintelligence roles and he received
01:50 the Bronze Star for tracking down former Gestapo officers.
01:54 Returning to the U.S. in 1947, Kissinger embarked on a celebrated academic career at Harvard,
02:01 leading to advisory roles under U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
02:07 His decision in the Cold War era shaped Washington's foreign policy, with President-elect Richard
02:12 Nixon appointing him as the national security advisor in 1968.
02:18 Kissinger's back-channel talks facilitated a diplomatic opening with China and key agreements
02:23 with the Soviet Union.
02:24 However, his biggest challenge was the Vietnam War.
02:28 Seeking peace with honor, Kissinger's plan prolonged the conflict involving secret bombing
02:33 raids in Laos and Cambodia.
02:37 The revelation of his secret talks with North Vietnamese negotiators in Paris won him celebrity
02:42 status with journalists questioning his dating antics with models and actresses.
02:47 He even came up with the infamous quote, "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac."
02:53 Despite the controversial aspects of his legacy, Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
02:58 in 1973 for his role in a ceasefire deal.
03:02 His shuttle diplomacy in the same year helped deter a proxy face-off between Washington
03:07 and Moscow during the Yom Kippur War.
03:10 Leaving office at the end of Gerald Ford's term, Kissinger continued to influence global
03:14 relations through his writings and television appearances.
03:18 His firm, Kissinger Associates Inc., provided counsel on business strategy, maintaining
03:23 an air of secrecy.
03:25 However, his ruthless pragmatism faced scrutiny, notably by British-American journalist Christopher
03:30 Hitchens in a 2001 book titled The Trial of Henry Kissinger, accusing him of war crimes.
03:37 Activists campaigned for warrants and staged mock arrests reflecting the complex legacy
03:43 of a man who shaped the course of history.
03:52 [MUSIC PLAYING]

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