Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds from The Dollop podcast join to discuss the life and crimes of Henry Kissinger, one of the 20th century's greatest war criminals. Topics include Kissinger's rejection of religion and love for soccer, his rise to power, his involvement in the nuclear arms race, his manipulation tactics during the Vietnam War, and the consequences of his secret bombing campaign in Cambodia. They also discuss the tendency to idolize figures despite their unethical actions and the lack of accountability for those in power.
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Quick takeaways
Henry Kissinger's childhood experiences and exposure to different political ideologies shaped his perspectives and influenced his future actions.
Kissinger's intellectual pursuits and academic achievements propelled him to become a prominent figure in American foreign policy discussions.
Despite his lack of full-time government experience, Kissinger's reputation as a policy genius and his manipulation tactics allowed him to gain control over US foreign policy and extend the Vietnam War.
Kissinger's actions in sabotaging peace negotiations during the Vietnam War resulted in significant loss of life and immense humanitarian tragedy.
Kissinger played a crucial role in orchestrating and defending the devastating bombings in Cambodia and Laos for political gain.
The bombings in Cambodia and Laos caused widespread destruction, civilian casualties, and international outrage.
Deep dives
Henry Kissinger's Childhood and Immigration
Henry Kissinger was born in Germany during a chaotic time and grew up in a city with a large Jewish population. His family faced economic challenges and the rise of the Nazis. They eventually immigrated to the United States, where Henry initially struggled to fit in. He focused on his studies and pursued a degree in accounting, but his life took a turn when he was drafted into the military during World War II.
Military Service and Political Ideologies
While in the military, Henry Kissinger discovered a passion for power and authority as he moved up in ranks. He became involved in local governance and even had the opportunity to liberate a concentration camp. After the war, he developed a conservative ideology influenced by his mentor Fritz Kramer. This ideology led him to support surveillance and restrict the teaching of communism. Kissinger's military service and exposure to war had a significant impact on his worldview.
Education and Transitioning to the United States
Following the war, Kissinger enrolled in college and excelled academically. He received a scholarship to attend Harvard and pursued further education. Kissinger's experiences during World War II and his exposure to different political ideologies shaped his perspectives. Despite his early challenges and traumatic experiences, Kissinger's academic achievements and intellectual pursuits propelled him to future success as a political figure.
Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy
Henry Kissinger's book analyzes the role of nuclear weapons and argues for their tactical use in achieving American Cold War diplomacy objectives.
The Necessity of Choice
Kissinger's book outlines his views on foreign policy, emphasizing the need for the United States to accept the possibility of limited nuclear warfare.
The Influence of Kissinger
Kissinger's writings and ideas gain popularity and recognition, leading to his appointment at Harvard and his rise as a prominent figure in American foreign policy discussions.
Henry Kissinger's Role in Extending the Vietnam War
Henry Kissinger, driven by career ambition and the desire to be close to power, played a significant role in extending the Vietnam War. He was involved in secret negotiations and backchannel communications, passing information between the Nixon campaign and the South Vietnamese government. Kissinger's actions sabotaged peace negotiations and scuttled attempts to achieve a bombing halt. He exercised near-absolute power over US foreign policy as the head of the National Security Council, and his appointment was met with widespread praise from conservative and liberal circles alike. Despite his lack of full-time government experience, Kissinger's intelligence and academic background contributed to the perception of him as a policy genius.
Nixon's Contempt for Kissinger and Kissinger's Usage of Back Channels
Throughout their collaboration, Richard Nixon held contempt for Henry Kissinger, even resorting to derogatory names when referring to him. However, Kissinger's skill in protecting his secrecy and connections made him invaluable to Nixon, leading to his appointment as national security advisor. Kissinger manipulated the outcome of the war, spreading rumors and engaging in political maneuvering to serve his own ambitions. He exercised immense control over US foreign policy and gained the president-elect's trust through his expertise in foreign affairs. While Nixon presented him as a scholar and celebrated his appointment, Kissinger's actions caused immense humanitarian tragedy and prolonged the war for several more years.
Kissinger's Role in Sabotaging Peace Negotiations and Gaining Power
By using his connections and influence, Henry Kissinger played a crucial role in sabotaging peace negotiations during the Vietnam War. He passed on information to Nixon through back channels, manipulating negotiations in his favor. Despite his lack of full-time government experience, Kissinger gained control over US foreign policy and exercised near-absolute power. He utilized his reputation as a policy genius and played both sides of the political spectrum to further his own career ambitions. Kissinger's actions prolonged the war, resulting in significant loss of life and immense humanitarian tragedy.
Kissinger's Power Grab: Bombing Cambodia and Controlling the War
Henry Kissinger, as the National Security Advisor, takes personal control over military operations, particularly the bombing campaign in Cambodia. He personally approves each bombing run and even adjusts target selections and coordinates. Kissinger's goal is to preserve his and Nixon's personal power and not be seen as the first US president to lose a war. The bombings are carried out by B-52 bombers and are indiscriminate, causing widespread destruction and civilian casualties. The illegal bombings prompt protests and international outcry, leading to congressional inquiries and public outrage.
Kissinger's Role in the Bombing Campaigns
Henry Kissinger played a significant role in the bombing campaigns in Cambodia and Laos, orchestrating and defending these devastating airstrikes. Despite their military ineffectiveness and lack of negotiation success, Kissinger and Nixon continued to escalate the bombings as a strategic political move to appeal to conservatives and boost their chances of re-election.
Impact of the Bombings and Kissinger's Manipulation
The bombings in Cambodia and Laos caused immense loss of life, with estimates ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of casualties. Kissinger's charm and manipulation tactics allowed him to gain support and sympathy from both liberal intellectuals and conservative figures. He used his charm and wit to downplay the horrors of the bombings and twist the narrative to serve his political agenda.
Henry Kissinger is dead! If you're wondering why people are so happy about this, listen to our six hour series on the life and crimes of one of the 20th century's greatest war criminals. (Ft. Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds from The Dollop)
