Author Topic: World Order by Kissinger  (Read 81 times)

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Offline Michael Hardner

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World Order by Kissinger
« on: July 24, 2017, 06:28:19 am »
I am trying to spend less time with screens, and more with books so I finished this book as a first outing.

Kissinger's sweep of world history, from Westphalia to 2014 is remarkable for its accessibility and sharpness.  His point is that world order must be constantly tended to, and even defeating a foe like the USSR opens up additional problems.

The current threats are Islamism and cyber war. I was particularly impressed with his assessment of cyberspace, as written by a man who is in his nineties.

Of course, he is a political animal so he is exculpatory with regards to his and other Republicans' failings but it doesn't take away from the pedagogical value.

And overall, it makes me realize that American guidance has been a global tradition that we sorely need now.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2017, 06:29:54 am by MH »

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Offline kimmy

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Re: World Order by Kissinger
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2017, 11:30:12 pm »
While many have claimed that American interference in global affairs is the root of all evil, I think that overall American leadership has been a force for good.

 -k
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Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: World Order by Kissinger
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2017, 06:51:17 am »
While many have claimed that American interference in global affairs is the root of all evil, I think that overall American leadership has been a force for good.

 -k

Kissinger describes the 'ambivalence' of Americans who want to export liberal values but only to a point.

Offline Super Colin Blow

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Re: World Order by Kissinger
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2017, 02:20:58 am »
Thank you.  I'm gratified to hear someone say that!

I read a little bit of Diplomacy by H.K. but didn't get more than a hundred or so pages into it.  I also had a copy of The White House Years and noticed that, interestingly enough, Kissinger dedicated it not to Nixon but to Sen. Nelson Rockefeller saying that "he would have made a great president."
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH