Henry Alfred Kissinger, born Heinz Alfred Kissinger (May 27, 1923) is a German-born American writer, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. A recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, he served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. After his term, his opinion was still sought by some subsequent US presidents and other world leaders.
A proponent of Realpolitik, Kissinger played a prominent role in United States foreign policy between 1969 and 1977. During this period, he pioneered the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, orchestrated the opening of relations with the People's Republic of China, and negotiated the Paris Peace Accords, ending American involvement in the Vietnam War.
Kissinger is still considered an influential public figure.[3] He is the founder and chairman of Kissinger Associates, an international consulting firm.
Kissinger was a member of the Founding Council of the Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford.
Kissinger is also known to be a member of the following groups:
- Aspen Institute
- Bilderberg Group
- Bohemian Club
- Council on Foreign Relations
"A nation should not send half a million
military personnel to a distant continent or stake its international standing and domestic cohesion unless its leaders are in a position to describe victory. This implies a definition of attainable political goals and a realistic
strategy to achieve them."
"If there are things that have to be done, you should do them quickly. But you should get back quickly to normal procedures."
"
military men are dumb, stupid animals, to be used as pawns for foreign policy."
Henry Kissinger