Henry Kissinger Has Died (nytimes.com)

Article summary

The article reports on the death of Henry Kissinger, but the content is not available. The discussion reveals that the initial BBC article was very brief, which surprised some readers. The brevity of the article sparked a conversation about Kissinger's legacy and the potential reasons behind the lack of detail. The BBC later published a more comprehensive article on Kissinger's life and career.

Main themes

• Henry Kissinger's legacy
• War crimes and controversy
• Diplomacy and self-interest
• Historical judgment and perspective
• Media representation and bias
• US foreign policy and its consequences

What commenters say

• Kissinger's death was not unexpected, given his age, and news outlets should have had obituaries prepared.
• The brief initial article may have been due to the controversy surrounding Kissinger's life and career, making it difficult to write a balanced obituary.
• Some argue that Kissinger's actions as a statesman were justified and furthered the interests of the US, while others strongly disagree.
• The discussion highlights the complexity of judging historical events and the importance of considering multiple perspectives.
• Kissinger's relationships with women may have been one of the few positive aspects of his life, with some suggesting he was seen as 'safe' compared to other men of the time.
• Others argue that Kissinger's legacy is marked by war crimes and the deaths of countless innocent people, and that he never faced adequate consequences for his actions.
• The role of diplomacy versus self-interest is debated, with some distinguishing between genuine diplomatic efforts and actions taken for personal gain.
• The US's involvement in wars such as those in Cambodia and Vietnam is widely regarded as a mistake that did not further the country's interests.