Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary Of State, Dead At 100
Henry A. Kissinger, renowned politician and foreign affairs diplomat, died on November 29. Kissinger was 100 years old at the time of his death. The announcement of his passing was confirmed by the politician's firm, Kissinger Associates (via CNN).
Kissinger was a dominant figure in politics in the 20th century. He served as the secretary of State and national security advisor for President Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. One of his most applauded works was negotiating a cease-fire with Vietnam, for which he was with a Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.
Kissinger escaped Germany during World War II, became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and went on to become one of the most influential figures in U.S. foreign policy history. Although he was awarded for his work on the crisis in Vietnam, his decisions during the conflict were not without controversy. And, the same can be said about most of his diplomatic choices throughout his career. Nevertheless, his influence is still being felt within the American government today, and for better or worse, his strategies and political point of view defined many moments in contemporary world history.
His death is causing a divide online
Henry Kissinger's name is one that is familiar to history buffs, particularly those with an interest in foreign relations and Richard Nixon's presidency. With his iconic thick-framed glasses, dry wit, and penchant for getting things done, Kissinger was a quiet force to be reckoned with in U.S. politics. The masterful Secretary of State is responsible for designing the U.S.'s policy of détente, which helped to ease tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. The same policy bridged the gap between the States and China. Even as he neared his final years, Kissinger still held an interest in politics. He was supportive of Donald Trump, the ex-President who has been compared to Nixon in the past.
Despite his accolades, Kissinger was not without his controversies. His detractors have pointed to his support of violent military groups in Chile and Pakistan, labeling him as a war criminal instead of a war hero. Even now, social media is fired up over the late global affairs expert, with one side in mourning and the other side in party mode. X, formerly known as Twitter, is filled with tweets celebrating Kissinger's death. One user tweeted, "He's dead. Henry Kissinger is dead," along with a gif of the iconic party scene from the movie "The Wolf of Wall Street." Others expressed real remorse. "Such a great man. His realistic views, policies & intellect will be sadly missed," one person shared.
Regardless of which side you're on, we truly have lost one of the most influential diplomats of our time. Although he's left this world physically, Kissinger's name will certainly live on in history books for centuries to come.