Henry Kissinger passed away today. I have long revered him as what I consider to be a genuine genius.

I mostly got to see him in action only during the October (1973) war, but I remain so totally impressed by the totality of his accomplishments in managing ALL OF THE AFFAIRS of the world is such spectacular fashion. He really knew what he was doing, plus he had the personal gift of being able to bring impossible situations to successful conclusions, and on, at least more-or-less, HIS terms.

He was brought down by his use of secrecy and guile by enemies who had no idea of what it takes to accomplish the things that he did. As an example, I myself learned only two years later, after he published his memoirs, how he had met (secretly) with Anwar Sadaat prior to Sadaat’s invasion of the Israeli-occupied Sinai Peninsula, first about a year before the invasion, at a safe house outside of London, and then again just 5 months before the invasion began, meeting in a safe house in Upstate New York. It had always amazed me how he knew just what to do instantly, always aiming toward a positive improvement in world peace.

His detractors undercut him because they objected to their personal interests in his accomplishments, such as the supporters of Israel who were incensed at his global view of what was good for the Middle East, in place of unconditional support for Israel.

I suppose it will take another couple of hundred years before we ever again see another foreign-policy leader like him, again.

Kissinger was Pres Nixon's Secretary of State. As one would expect from a person appointed to such a position, he had a great deal of influence over national and world politics during his tenure. He receives much credit for negotiating peace in Vietnam. He embraced a political philosophy called "Realpolitik", which is basically a pragmatic approach (i.e. what works) that was often criticized as being dismissive of moral or ideological considerations. He faced heavy criticism for turning a blind eye to US war crimes during Vietnam and other conflicts. After Nixon was forced to resign, he continue to be highly influential in administrations on both sides of the aisle.

So like many men who find themselves in positions of great power and responsibility, he had a major impact on world events: some good, some bad. On the balance, he strikes me as a person who did his best to do what he believed was right and practical. He left a significant mark on history, but as NE's response shows, even people in high positions are swept into the dustbin of history. Most folks on the street can't name all the US presidents. Much fewer can name their Secretary of State and what that person actually did. I can only recall the smattering above from my time as a History Major in college and post-college student of history on my own time.

Wow, I wouldn't have thought he was still alive till now. As a kid, I thought Kissinger ran the world. My dad, whose opinion I greatly respect, thought very well of Kissinger.

He is viewed as a very polarizing figure in History. He did do some wonderful things. For example he opened up relations with China, something unheard of for that day.

Along with some of those positives, there were some noted negatives. He did advice Nixon to escalate the Vietnam War. Given the outcome, many might question if that was a good idea or not. It is always easy to look back on history and make the judgement from what we know today. I am certain that clarity didn't exist then. Then again, woke is all about judging the past on what we know today.

He was a truly brilliant mind. Not only was he Nixon's Sec of State, he has been an advisor to most presidents (Dem and Rep) after Nixon except maybe Cart3r, B1den and 0bama. But I know that Ford, Reaga n, Bus h, Cli nton, Bus h, and Trum p definitely relied on his wisdom.