Renowned diplomat Henry Kissinger passed away at the age of 100, leaving behind a polarizing legacy that continues to ignite debate. While considered one of the most influential diplomats in U.S. history by the Washington establishment, Kissinger is widely remembered around the world, including in Chile, East Timor, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, as a war criminal responsible for numerous massacres, coups, and even genocide.

Born in Germany, Kissinger served as U.S. Secretary of State under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford from 1973 to 1977. He also held the position of National Security Adviser from 1969 to 1975, making him the only U.S. official to have simultaneously held both significant posts. In 1973, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside his North Vietnamese counterpart Le Duc Tho.

Unfortunately, during his tenure, Kissinger oversaw the expansion of the Vietnam War and authorized secret bombings of Laos and Cambodia. These bombings resulted in the deaths of an estimated 150,000 civilians, as Kissinger famously told the military, "Anything that flies or anything that moves."

In South Asia, Kissinger supported the Pakistani military's genocidal war against East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh. Classified documents reveal Kissinger's secret interventions across Latin America, including countries such as Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina. In Chile, he actively urged President Nixon to take a harder stance against the democratically elected President Salvador Allende. It led to the U.S.-backed coup on September 11th, 1973, which overthrew Allende and installed General Augusto Pinochet as the new authoritarian leader. Kissinger infamously commented, "I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people."

Another dark chapter in Kissinger's career involved his meeting with Indonesian dictator General Suharto in 1975, where they discussed and approved the invasion of East Timor. The invasion resulted in one of the most horrific genocides of the late 20th century, with approximately one-third of the Timorese population killed by the Indonesian military.

Not stopping there, Kissinger also devised plans to attack Cuba in the mid-1970s following Fidel Castro's support for Angola against apartheid South Africa.

Even within the United States, Kissinger exerted influence. He encouraged President Nixon to target Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, referring to him as the "most dangerous man in America."

Historian Greg Grandin estimates that Kissinger's actions may have caused the deaths of 3 to 4 million people. Despite calls from human rights activists to hold him accountable for war crimes, Kissinger remained a celebrated figure within the Washington political establishment, providing counsel to both Republican and Democratic administrations.

While many acknowledge Kissinger's contributions in opening communication with China and seeking détente with Russia, his controversial actions and policies have overshadowed these achievements.

Critics argue that Kissinger's life reflects the transformation of the United States from the collapse of the postwar consensus to the creation of a national security state that thrived on polarization, secrecy, and manipulation of public opinion to pursue aggressive foreign policies.

His recent death has reignited debate surrounding his moral and political culpability. Obituaries and condolences from the political establishment have highlighted a perceived inability or unwillingness to fully grasp the consequences of Kissinger's interventions. The celebration of his 100th birthday last year stands as a stark reminder of the moral bankruptcy within the political class.

While many view Kissinger as a war criminal, others argue that labeling him as such oversimplifies his complex impact on American foreign policy. This complexity lies in his ability to adapt and align himself with shifting political tides, from opposing Nixon to eventually supporting him, from criticizing Reagan to eventually embracing him, and even finding common ground with the neocons and praising Donald Trump.

As the world reflects on Kissinger's life and assesses his legacy, the debate over his role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, perpetuating war, and advancing neoliberalism continues.