Henry Kissinger’s Death: The Worst Evil Fighting for Good

Henry Kissinger, known for the deaths of millions around the world, passed away on November 29, 2023, at the age of 100, living up to his controversial reputation as the US Secretary of State. Kissinger’s secret negotiations with “Red China” led to Nixon’s most famous foreign policy accomplishment: being able to manage difficult relations in a tense time. Even at the remarkable age of 100, he made a dignified visit to Chinese leaders in Beijing, where they accorded him a reception befitting royalty, despite the strained relations with the US.

Henry Kissinger’s Death

At the age of 100, Henry Kissinger took his last breath at 6:18 pm inside the confines of his house. After 22 minutes (at 6:40 pm), he was pronounced dead on the scene by Alphonse Altorelli, an internal medicine doctor. The police report mentions that the doctor on the scene took the time to confirm his death through a series of body-reaction tests before finally pronouncing him dead.  

Henry Kissinger’s Impact 

Kissinger, a popularized war criminal to many, was also known for his Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to ending the Vietnam War, though under very controversial circumstances. 

Advising 12 presidents throughout his career, he decided to promote US interests as the highest priority, surpassing even human rights. Even going as far as to threaten nuclear war for personal game theory, Henry Kissinger’s infamy was well-known throughout the world for his questionable methods.  

“A country that demands moral perfection in its foreign policy will achieve neither perfection nor security.” – Henry Kissinger 

The ideals that he pursued through foreign policy bills (now classified as war crimes) willingly ignored human rights violations that they presented, so long as they aligned with the interests of the country. As George Washington University explains, “he needed to keep track of which lie he told to whom.” 

His most popular act which gained him fame for foreign relationships was during Nixon’s presidency; Kissinger created and strengthened relations with communist China and worked to end America’s influence on the Taiwan conflict. 

Concluding Thoughts

In reflecting on Henry Kissinger’s passing at the age of 100, his legacy remains as a controversial blend of diplomatic triumphs and absolute disregard for the rights of humans. Despite his pivotal role in reshaping global relations, particularly with China, his reputation remains sullied by his war crimes and the prioritization of strategic interests over ethical considerations. Kissinger represents the essential question founding one of many paths in American policy as we move beyond his rule in foreign relations: do morals have a place in our policy? In future conflicts, can we view the world idealistically or settle for the reality of a “zero-sum game”? Kissinger’s death forces us to reflect on the actions taken in the pursuit of leading this game while we can only hope that politicians will heed the warnings from his reputation and reform for a brighter and more ethical future of diplomatic relationships.