Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds discuss the life and crimes of Henry Kissinger, exploring topics such as his actions in Vietnam, his relationships with world leaders, his centralized power, his wiretapping program, his involvement in genocide, and his role in Middle East peace. They also touch on Kissinger's reputation as a sex symbol and the lack of accountability in journalism. The hosts provide a humorous and sarcastic take on the outrageousness of Kissinger's actions.
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Quick takeaways
Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon prioritize maintaining their relationship with the Pakistani government, despite the ongoing genocide in East Pakistan.
Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger openly express racist views and indifference towards the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh.
Henry Kissinger had a surprising sex symbol status in the 1970s, with women finding him attractive and intriguing.
Henry Kissinger had significant involvement in wiretapping activities during the Nixon administration.
During the Watergate scandal, Kissinger's actions around encouraging Nixon's bigotry were seen as an attempt to protect his own interests and maintain his status as a powerful figure.
Henry Kissinger played a significant role in bringing an end to the cycle of wars between Israel and Arab nations in the Middle East.
Deep dives
Genocide in East Pakistan
The violence in East Pakistan escalates, with thousands of civilians being killed and millions displaced. Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon prioritize maintaining their relationship with the Pakistani government, despite the ongoing genocide. Kissinger downplays the violence, claiming that it has stopped, and both leaders express their support for Pakistan. The international community condemns the inaction of the US government, and India signs a treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union in response to the crisis.
Secret Diplomatic Mission to China
Henry Kissinger travels secretly to China for diplomatic negotiations, aiming to improve relations and arrange a meeting between Richard Nixon and Chinese officials. The US government prioritizes preserving its relationship with Pakistan, as they intend to use them as an intermediary for the China visit. Despite mounting international criticism and calls to address the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, Nixon and Kissinger continue to support Pakistan and downplay the extent of the ongoing atrocities.
Blatant racism and indifference
Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger openly express racist views and indifference towards the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. Their language reflects their disregard for the lives of the Bangladeshi people and their prioritization of political and strategic goals over human rights and international law.
Henry Kissinger's Sex Symbol Image
Despite his involvement in war crimes, Henry Kissinger had a surprising sex symbol status in the 1970s, with women finding him attractive and intriguing. Kissinger's power and charm attracted famous women like Jill St. John and Candice Bergen. He was known for being a patient listener and making women feel intelligent or politically savvy. However, it is important to note that while Kissinger was seen as a sex symbol, he was not particularly sexually active or interested. Women were often seen as a diversion or a hobby for him, and his focus was primarily on his own ambitions and exercise of power.
Wiretapping and Leaked Transcripts
Henry Kissinger had significant involvement in wiretapping activities during the Nixon administration. He would submit names to the FBI for wiretapping, primarily among his own colleagues, while using the transcripts to his advantage. Kissinger would alter the transcripts to reinforce his loyalty to President Nixon and even used them as notes for his books after leaving office. Additionally, Kissinger suspected that Nixon and his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, wiretapped him, further complicating their intricate relationship.
The Watergate Scandal and Kissinger's Role
During the Watergate scandal, Kissinger was concerned about the impact it could have on his credibility. Transcripts revealed his agreement with Nixon's bigotry and racial slurs, a tactic Kissinger employed to gain favor. Despite not being directly involved in Watergate, Kissinger's actions around encouraging Nixon's bigotry were seen as an attempt to protect his own interests and maintain his status as a powerful figure.
Negotiating peace in the Middle East
Henry Kissinger played a significant role in bringing an end to the cycle of wars between Israel and Arab nations in the Middle East. He prioritized negotiating a peace agreement and was instrumental in establishing diplomatic relations between Egypt and Israel. His approach involved shuttle diplomacy, flying between capitals and negotiating with key leaders. Despite his ego playing a role, Kissinger's efforts resulted in a lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors.
Interfering in Angola
In 1975, Henry Kissinger turned his attention to Angola, fearing Soviet influence in the country. He orchestrated covert actions to prevent Angola from aligning with communism, feeling the country might join the Eastern Bloc. However, his efforts were misguided, as Angola did not become a communist state. Kissinger's actions in Angola highlighted his paranoia and belief in a balance of power during the Cold War.
The Year of Intelligence and Troubles in Portugal
In 1975, during the Year of Intelligence, Henry Kissinger was concerned about the left-leaning leaders in Portugal and feared the spread of communism. Despite his paranoia, Portugal did not become a communist state and Kissinger's concerns were unwarranted. His involvement in Portuguese affairs demonstrated his flawed understanding of the region and his inflated sense of American influence.
Kissinger's Manipulative Triangular Diplomacy
Henry Kissinger employed a strategy known as triangular diplomacy, exploiting the relationship between communist China and the Soviet Union to create a three-way détente with the US at the helm. This strategy guided Kissinger's approach in Angola, where he saw the regional conflict as a battleground between different ideologies rather than a local struggle. Kissinger's emphasis on this East-West context disregarded the complex dynamics of the conflict and led to flawed decision-making.
Kissinger's Betrayal of the Kurds
Henry Kissinger's approach to the Kurdish people reinforced a US policy that sought to provide limited support to the Kurds when it served American interests, but never enough to achieve permanent autonomy. This policy was established during the Nixon administration and continues to this day. Mustafa Barzani, the Kurdish leader, naively believed that the US would support their bid for independence, only to be betrayed when the US cut off aid as part of a deal with Iraq. This betrayal led to the massacre of Kurdish fighters and a significant loss for the Kurdish people.
Dire Consequences of Kissinger's Influence on US Foreign Policy
Henry Kissinger played a significant role in shaping US foreign policy, emphasizing the centralization of power within the executive branch and setting a precedent for military actions without external consent. His influence on American politics transcends specific events, such as the invasion of Iraq, and extends to ideological and philosophical trends that continue to impact the US government's approach to foreign policy. Despite his notorious reputation, Kissinger has managed to maintain a celebrity status and enjoy the company of high-profile individuals, all while avoiding accountability for his actions. The media's failure to hold him responsible for his war crimes perpetuates a cycle of power and influence that has far-reaching consequences.
The Legacy of Kissinger's Manipulation of Facts
Henry Kissinger's ability to manipulate facts and create his own reality has had a lasting impact on US politics. His skill in telling powerful people what they want to hear and creating a favorable perception of himself has allowed him to maintain influence and escape accountability. Kissinger's tactics of bending facts and centralizing power within the executive branch have shaped US foreign policy and influenced subsequent administrations. The media's failure to challenge and hold Kissinger accountable has only further perpetuated his distorted reality, ultimately weakening the foundations of democracy and accountability in US politics.
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)
