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Henry Kissinger on the Assembly of a New World Order

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Henry Kissinger on the Assembly of a New World Order - WSJ

The concept of order that has underpinned the modern era is in crisis, writes Henry Kissinger. Above, a pro-Russian fighter stands guard at a checkpoint close to Donetsk, Ukraine in July. European Pressphoto Agency
Libya is in civil war, fundamentalist armies are building a self-declared caliphate across Syria and Iraq and Afghanistan's young democracy is on the verge of paralysis. To these troubles are added a resurgence of tensions with Russia and a relationship with China divided between pledges of cooperation and public recrimination. The concept of order that has underpinned the modern era is in crisis.

For the U.S., this will require thinking on two seemingly contradictory levels. The celebration of universal principles needs to be paired with recognition of the reality of other regions' histories, cultures and views of their security. Even as the lessons of challenging decades are examined, the affirmation of America's exceptional nature must be sustained. History offers no respite to countries that set aside their sense of identity in favor of a seemingly less arduous course. But nor does it assure success for the most elevated convictions in the absence of a comprehensive geopolitical strategy.

Obama better get his **** together. He should be calling in some experienced people.
 
Henry Kissinger on the Assembly of a New World Order - WSJ



Obama better get his **** together. He should be calling in some experienced people.



Not only does the State Department need to get it's act together, but the American people need take heed.

Kissinger is one of the most well respected international experts on the planet and what he writes here is more than a little frightening when exampled by his so excellently scribed opening summary. But it is in his conclusion where the real issue lies.

He is saying that with globalization, increasingly deep economic failures etc., the very concept of what has stood a "state" has changed; the American-European model even being challenged in Europe itself with the formation of the EU.

His conclusion
For the U.S., this will require thinking on two seemingly contradictory levels. The celebration of universal principles needs to be paired with recognition of the reality of other regions' histories, cultures and views of their security. Even as the lessons of challenging decades are examined, the affirmation of America's exceptional nature must be sustained. History offers no respite to countries that set aside their sense of identity in favor of a seemingly less arduous course. But nor does it assure success for the most elevated convictions in the absence of a comprehensive geopolitical strategy.


One of the most frightening aspects "recognition of the reality of other regions' histories, cultures and views of their security." is the policy of the US enforcing it's brand of "democracy", as in Ukraine. The last line, "in the absence of a comprehensive geopolitical strategy" lead to a deliberate, and somewhat sarcastic understatement "nor does it assure success".....which means guaranteed failure.

The man needs to be listened to now more than ever.
 
But do you think he will be--or will he dismissed as an old man whose time has passed? The hubris is strong in this Administration.
 
I think that Kissinger should be in jail. He's a historical war criminal and is always pimping for the New World Order. I interpret the NWO as world control by a few bankers and Nations. No, thank you, I don't want any. He always represents the old David Rockefeller dynasty and its' various intrigues.
 
I think that Kissinger should be in jail. He's a historical war criminal and is always pimping for the New World Order. I interpret the NWO as world control by a few bankers and Nations. No, thank you, I don't want any. He always represents the old David Rockefeller dynasty and its' various intrigues.

Now that you've offered your ad hom, care to comment on the substance of what Kissinger said?
 
Now that you've offered your ad hom, care to comment on the substance of what Kissinger said?



I interpret the NWO as world control by a few bankers and Nations. No, thank you,
 
Henry Kissinger on the Assembly of a New World Order - WSJ



Obama better get his **** together. He should be calling in some experienced people.


America's exceptional nature seems to have taken a wrong turn somewhere when invading Iraq for preconceived notions. Now we're directionless as a world power, trying to desperately hold together failed democracies in the ME, and fight terrorism with the wind.

Putin must of seen the lack of conviction in the current admin to gamble attacking the Ukraine. We should've been watching out for the real threats to our security and financial progress and not wasting so much money, lives and resources chasing dessert ghosts for decades.
 
America's exceptional nature seems to have taken a wrong turn somewhere when invading Iraq for preconceived notions. Now we're directionless as a world power, trying to desperately hold together failed democracies in the ME, and fight terrorism with the wind.

Putin must of seen the lack of conviction in the current admin to gamble attacking the Ukraine. We should've been watching out for the real threats to our security and financial progress and not wasting so much money, lives and resources chasing dessert ghosts for decades.
Yeah yeah, it's Bush's fault. :roll: How about something new. Trotting that out everyday isn't going to solve the problem.
 
Yeah yeah, it's Bush's fault. :roll: How about something new. Trotting that out everyday isn't going to solve the problem.


I never mentioned Bush that's from your own mind. I said 'America', in which we're all responsible to some degree. I doubt the initial idea even came from Bush.

The US needs some kind of coherent direction, followed by policies and long term goals, instead of overreacting to every News cycle and Networks trotted out experts and opinions. Those dickheads cause us more problems than they solve, because they don't care about anything other than stirring up the pot for ratings. They're literally a bunch of egotistical, money hungry idiots.

Look at Ferguson. I doubt there would've even been violent protests without that amount coverage. Though it's great that we have a free press to bring attention to abuses and events, they practice very little responsibility or ethics anymore.
 
How did I know that your first word in a thread about Kissinger, would be Obama? :lamo :lamo :lamo
As far as I know, he is the current President, thanks to you.
 
Is anyone else amazed at the sheer mental sharpness of Kissinger at the age of 91?
If I live that long, I'll be happy if I can just remember my own name.
 
Is anyone else amazed at the sheer mental sharpness of Kissinger at the age of 91?
If I live that long, I'll be happy if I can just remember my own name.

It's important. A few years ago I concluded the best thing to do with my health is to not slow down on reading and discussing policy or ideas decades down the road. Delay retirement, if possible. So many of the intellectuals and policy wonks I researched lived well into their late 80s and 90s that I figured there was something about an active professional role and engagement with policy or ideas that contributed to that.
 
You may think so now until you see more of his "no strategy" foreign policy.

I think you are headed in the right direction, but aren't completely seeing Kissinger's point. The U.S., like most countries in the "world order" are experiencing a paradox. It is this paradox that is undermining the established world order. The U.S.'s role in all of this is to reevaluate its position in the world, and determine what it can do, when, how, and to what end. This is a transitional presidency and a transitional geopolitical experience.
 
It's important. A few years ago I concluded the best thing to do with my health is to not slow down on reading and discussing policy or ideas decades down the road. Delay retirement, if possible. So many of the intellectuals and policy wonks I researched lived well into their late 80s and 90s that I figured there was something about an active professional role and engagement with policy or ideas that contributed to that.

My parents well into their 70's and 80's, until they passed, were as sharp or smarter than any other time in their lives. They exercised, stayed active and kept their mental capacity useful and engaged. I couldn't keep up with them at half their age.
 
I think you are headed in the right direction, but aren't completely seeing Kissinger's point. The U.S., like most countries in the "world order" are experiencing a paradox. It is this paradox that is undermining the established world order. The U.S.'s role in all of this is to reevaluate its position in the world, and determine what it can do, when, how, and to what end. This is a transitional presidency and a transitional geopolitical experience.

I look forward to reading Kissinger's latest book. There's little doubt that the global political and economic structure has changed since the end of World War II and Cold War. There is also a lot more dynamism, not to mention complexities created by the proliferation of non-state actors, information revolution, etc. IMO, a clear conception of the national interest, need to devise a coherent foreign policy strategy, and role of contingency planning are arguably more important than ever. On the flip side, treating foreign policy as largely an ad hoc exercise is highly risky.
 
It is a humorously narrow view to think that Obama, or any American president, is capable of altering macro-historical forces by "calling in experienced people." :lol:


I've got to agree that when I hear a President blamed or credited for an economy that was mostly built by preceeding policies and events, or a War, or even legislative decisions, it seems very narrow and naive. Most Presidents are juggled around like, bobble head dolls, frustratingly being bombarded with daily reports and more information than a super computer could process. No wonder they age so quickly being on call 24/7, and stressed out about national and global events on a daily basis.
 
Henry Kissinger on the Assembly of a New World Order - WSJ



Obama better get his **** together. He should be calling in some experienced people.

I do think the Administration could do better by leveraging the insights and experience of those who served the nation in the past. Certainly, relying on their insights could have, for example, tempered the runaway idealism that was exhibited during the outbreak of the "Arab Spring" uprisings. IMO, Kissinger had it right when he wrote in an August 5, 2012 op-ed on Syria that "On all sides of the Syrian conflict, the commitment of the belligerents to democratic values and alignment with Western interests is, at best, untested." Today, it's abundantly clear that Syria's conflict is a sectarian, not democratic one. Furthermore, the power vacuum it has created with the erosion of central governing authority has created fertile ground for ISIS, which it has exploited to create a self-declared caliphate that spans parts of Syria and Iraq.

Finally, I was disheartened to read Roger Cohen's op-ed piece in The New York Times that stated:

Clinton, in a two-page letter made available to me, went on to describe Holbrooke’s long diplomatic career — as a young foreign service officer in Vietnam; at the Paris Peace talks that led to the end of that conflict; as ambassador to Germany at a time of post-Cold War military transformation; as the diplomat who “brokered the historic Dayton Accords that brought the bloody war in the Balkans to a close”; and finally in “the most complex and vexing foreign and military policy challenge of our day” in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

That last assignment was particularly “vexing” because Obama and Holbrooke never got along. The “no drama” president had little patience for high-drama Holbrooke. There was no significant place in the president’s young, tight-knit foreign policy team for this man of vast experience and sweeping insights. Holbrooke had backed Clinton during the 2008 Democratic Party primaries; his loyalty was questioned. In an extraordinary put-down, Obama took several staffers with him to Afghanistan in March, 2010, but not Holbrooke, his supposed point man.


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/o...ngton-cemetery-and-lost-american-resolve.html

It should be noted that Holbrooke was one of the senior American officials who were deeply wary of the United States' Karzai-centric strategy. Had the U.S. heeded his concerns, I suspect Afghanistan would be on a better trajectory today.
 
It is a humorously narrow view to think that Obama, or any American president, is capable of altering macro-historical forces by "calling in experienced people." :lol:

Your opinion is duly disregarded, given the higher caliber opinions available in this thread.
 
I think you are headed in the right direction, but aren't completely seeing Kissinger's point. The U.S., like most countries in the "world order" are experiencing a paradox. It is this paradox that is undermining the established world order. The U.S.'s role in all of this is to reevaluate its position in the world, and determine what it can do, when, how, and to what end. This is a transitional presidency and a transitional geopolitical experience.

And we have the wrong man in the WH for this transition.
 
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