Radio War Nerd EP 412 — Kissinger Kaputt, feat. Greg Grandin
Dec 8, 2023
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The podcast discusses the reputation and impact of Gallipoli, a book that transforms its genre, hiding out experiences, American immigration reform, Kissinger's mindset, comparison between British Empire and Kissinger's actions, Kissinger's involvement in the Nixon campaign, his role in Latin America and Africa, unethical practices of private consulting companies, legacy and influence of Henry Kissinger.
Kissinger's illegal bombing of Cambodia resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, contributing to the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Kissinger's support for Pakistan during the Bangladesh genocide resulted in widespread atrocities and loss of countless lives.
Kissinger's green light to Indonesia's invasion of East Timor led to widespread human rights abuses and deaths, while his support for coups in Latin America resulted in repression, torture, and thousands of deaths across the region.
Deep dives
Kissinger's Crimes: The Bombing of Cambodia and Laos
Kissinger is responsible for the illegal bombing of Cambodia, which resulted in the deaths of many Cambodians and contributed to the rise of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. The bombing expanded from the border region deep into the country, causing significant destruction and loss of life. The bombing also sparked a coup in Cambodia that brought a brutal regime to power. Kissinger's actions and decisions in Cambodia had devastating consequences for the Cambodian people.
Support for Genocide in Bangladesh
Kissinger supported the Pakistani regime's brutal crackdown on Bangladesh during its struggle for independence. The Pakistani military carried out widespread atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence. Kissinger's support for Pakistan and failure to intervene contributed to the loss of countless lives in what is now known as the Bangladesh genocide.
Involvement in Timor and Latin America
Kissinger gave a green light to Indonesia's invasion of East Timor, leading to widespread human rights abuses and deaths. He also supported coups and military regimes in several Latin American countries, such as Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay. These actions resulted in repression, torture, and thousands of deaths across the region.
Kissinger's Rise to Power
Kissinger's rise to power was a swift and remarkable journey. Starting as a pseudo-intellectual guru of foreign policy, he quickly made connections in the political sphere, eventually becoming a Rockefeller Republican. When Nixon emerged as the Republican nominee in 1968, Kissinger felt sidelined. However, through his contacts with the Nixon campaign and his ability to provide strategic information, he managed to ingratiate himself and was appointed as national security advisor. This sudden ascent to power transformed the American national security state and shaped US foreign policy for years to come.
Kissinger's Influence and the Rebuilding of the National Security State
Kissinger's tenure as national security advisor allowed him to accumulate significant power and marginalize the Secretary of State. He expanded the National Security Council's influence, which had already started assuming executive functions. Kissinger played a pivotal role in reconstructing a new National Security State that could navigate the post-Vietnam era and function in a world of polarization and lack of popular consensus for foreign policy. He facilitated the post-Vietnam pivot, including handling conflicts such as Cambodia. Kissinger's ability to straddle the changes in US foreign policy and his subsequent role in Kissinger Associates, a premier consulting firm, showcases his influence and monetization of the chaos created.