The Untold Perspectives: Unveiling Henry Kissinger's Misconceptions

Jeremi Suri is the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is a professor in the History Department and the LBJ School. He has authored and edited 11 books, including "Henry Kissinger and the American Century" and "Civil War By Other Means: Americas Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy." Also, Suri is the co-host of the podcast "This is Democracy." The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

The life of Henry Kissinger was unlikely and highly influential. Born in a small Jewish community in the German town of Fürth, his grandparents were killed by the Nazis and he narrowly escaped the same fate. In late 1938, Henry, along with his father, mother, and brother, fled to New York. While they did not want to leave Germany, they had no other option.

Jeremi Suri

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Similar to many other refugees, they were not ready for their new residence. A 15-year-old named Henry, who was small in stature, arrived without any knowledge of English and limited opportunities. He went to a public high school in Manhattan, worked in the evenings to support his family, and aimed to become an accountant, a practical goal for a Jewish immigrant in New York.

As with the US entering WWII, Kissinger's life was changed. He left his home to join the Army and later became part of the American occupying force in Germany, marking the start of a career defined by his identity as a cosmopolitan wise man. American leaders sought individuals who knew German society and had an attachment to the US, and Kissinger fit the bill. Despite his German appearance and accent, his Jewish background meant he had no sympathy for the Nazis, and he stayed in the Army an extra year to help establish American influence in postwar Europe.

Thanks to Army recommendations and the GI Bill, Kissinger was able to seize the opportunity to attend Harvard University as an older undergraduate, which was previously unthinkable due to his refugee experience, Jewish background, and lack of wealth. Harvard connected Kissinger to a new generation of European émigré students and scholars, all committed to helping the United States lead the world and prevent another totalitarian regime, this time in the Soviet Union, from destroying civilization.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is seen arriving for a memorial service for late Social Democratic senior politician Egon Bahr at St. Mary's Church in Berlin, Germany, in this September 17, 2015 file photo. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

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Look back at the defining moments of Henry Kissingers career

Kissinger made it his life's work to use power to champion the United States and himself as beacons of hope in the face of what he perceived as encroaching darkness. His belief in the potential threats to humanity, particularly in a nuclear age, drove him to advocate for American supremacy. Though he never entered the Foreign Service, he recognized the convergence of diplomacy and military matters as the arena in which he could enact lasting change.

In the aftermath of his time at Harvard, Kissinger swiftly ascended to positions of great influence and remained there, as his mission deeply resonated with presidents, business leaders, and many others. He devoted himself tirelessly to this cause, working to reinforce the American-led Western alliance in Europe and cultivating military, economic, and diplomatic collaboration among key leaders in each capital.

During his time as President Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford's chief foreign policy aide, Kissinger broadened his scope to include China and the Middle East, among other regions. He initiated the first direct relations between the United States and Communist China, positioning Washington ahead of Moscow in Asia as Soviet relations in the area deteriorated. Following the 1973 War between Israel and its Arab neighbors, Kissinger solidified the United States as the primary external player in the region, providing significant aid and military assistance to Israel, Egypt, and other states willing to align with Washington and marginalize Moscow.

US President Gerald Ford confers with secretary of State Henry Kissinger 1974. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Universal History Archive/Getty Images

The Key Lesson from Henry Kissinger's Life Journey

Throughout his life, Kissinger never forgot that he was a refugee who had fled from immense atrocities to come to the United States. He criticized those who believed that the United States could somehow create perfect human beings. Kissinger viewed Wilsonian idealism as both naive and hazardous. His perspectives on society were always haunted by the presence of hate and violence.

Kissinger saw American power as a necessary means to salvage the best of humanity and minimize the damage caused by human weaknesses. This led him to justify the intense bombing of Vietnam and Cambodia during the Vietnam War, claiming that innocent people were sacrificed to prevent what he believed to be the far greater suffering under communist rule. He also defended US support for repressive regimes in South America and diplomatic favoritism for dictatorships in various countries as necessary for stability in societies he deemed unready for democracy.

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The undeniable evidence of death, destruction, and suffering in these societies all pointed to the same fact. The fervent protests in the United States against Kissinger's policies and the widespread anger directed at him, even in death, illustrate how his unwavering dedication to American power often came at the expense of the people it was meant to benefit.

Kissinger's life was a cautionary tale of both progress and tragic arrogance. He proudly embodied the American dream, making the world safer for millions like himself. However, he also succumbed to self-righteousness and an obsession with power that distorted his perspective. Despite his intelligence, he never fully grasped the ways in which American power could pose a threat and cause harm to those who opposed it.

Kissinger's life was a reflection of American power in the last century, for both its triumphs and its challenges. This is why his legacy is so significant. His passing allows for a moment of contemplation on the impact of American power and its potential evolution.