Henry Kissinger, the influential U.S. diplomat known for his significant contributions during the Cold War era, has passed away at the age of 100. Kissinger, who played a key role in establishing diplomatic relations with China, negotiating arms control agreements with the Soviet Union, and bringing an end to the Vietnam War, died at his home in Connecticut on Wednesday, according to his geopolitical consulting firm, Kissinger Associates.

A source familiar with the arrangements disclosed that a memorial service for Kissinger will be held in New York, followed by his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, located just outside Washington.

Kissinger served as national security adviser and later as secretary of state under Republican President Richard Nixon, reaching the peak of his influence during the 1970s. Even after Nixon's resignation in 1974, amidst the Watergate scandal, Kissinger continued to play a pivotal role in global diplomacy as secretary of state under President Gerald Ford.

Among his notable achievements, Kissinger was recognized for laying the groundwork for the U.S. diplomatic opening with China, facilitating significant arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union, fostering improved relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and successfully negotiating the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.

While many praised Kissinger's brilliance and effectiveness as a statesman, he also faced criticism from some quarters. Critics accused him of supporting anti-communist dictatorships, particularly in Latin America, leading to allegations of war crimes. In his later years, Kissinger's travel plans were sometimes hindered as certain countries sought to arrest or question him about past U.S. foreign policy.

The White House, under Democratic President Joe Biden, expressed condolences over Kissinger's passing, describing it as "a huge loss." Noting Kissinger's military service during World War Two and his subsequent years of public service, national security spokesman John Kirby acknowledged Kissinger's enduring impact on America's role in the world.

Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his role in ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, although the decision was surrounded by controversy. Two members of the Nobel committee resigned over concerns about the secret U.S. bombing of Cambodia, and North Vietnamese diplomat Le Duc Tho, selected to share the award, declined it.

Following news of Kissinger's death, tributes poured in from around the globe. The Chinese government referred to him as a "good old friend" who made historic contributions to normalizing relations between China and the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Kissinger as a "wise and farsighted statesman," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed their encounters as "a master class in statesmanship."

However, not all voices were unequivocally positive. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdul Momen recalled Kissinger's involvement in the 1971 war between West and East Pakistan, which eventually led to the independence of Bangladesh. Momen stated that Kissinger's actions during that period were "very sad" and suggested that he should have apologized to the people of Bangladesh.

Henry Kissinger, originally named Heinz Alfred Kissinger, was born in Fuerth, Germany, in 1923. Fleeing Nazi persecution, his family immigrated to the United States in 1938. Kissinger served in the U.S. Army during World War Two and later pursued a career in academia. He obtained a doctorate from Harvard University and remained on the faculty for 17 years. During this time, Kissinger also served as a consultant to government agencies and played a role in providing information about peace negotiations to the Nixon administration.

Following his tenure in government, Kissinger established a prominent consulting firm in New York and continued to advise corporate leaders worldwide. He remained actively engaged in public life, publishing books, providing commentary on international affairs, and participating in various policy and security forums.