It's Not a Fraternity Anymore
December 1, 2023 - On Henry Kissinger & US foreign policy
On December 5, 1996, Bill Clinton nominated Madeleine Albright to be the first female US secretary of state. Flowers and phone calls flooded her USUN office at the State Department in Washington. I answered one of those calls.
“May I speak to Madeleine please,” a deep baritone with a German accent asked when I picked up. It sounded like Henry Kissinger. But ever the shrewd aide, I paused. Why would Kissinger be calling Albright himself? “She’s not available at the moment, may I ask who’s calling?” I said.
“This is Dr. Kissinger,” he enunciated each word.
Indeed, it was he — the foreign policy titan who served as secretary of state and national security advisor under Richard Nixon — and an influencer to every president thereafter. In returning the call, Kissinger said to Albright, “welcome to the fraternity.”
“Henry, I hate to tell you, but it’s not a fraternity any more,” Albright retorted.
Except, for Kissinger, who died this past Wednesday, it still very much was a fraternity, in perspective at least. For him, regardless of who was at its helm, US foreign policy was a hard nosed zero-sum game — a man’s game. It was as Ben Rhodes writes in the NYT, “enamored with the exercise of power and drained of concern for the human beings left in its wake.” His was a Hobbesian world, in which idealism and human rights had no room. “A country that demands moral perfection in its foreign policy will achieve neither perfection nor security,” Kissinger once said.
Many obituaries and reflections on Kissinger wax nostalgic about this realpolitik, unflinching approach to world affairs, which opened the door to US-China relations, focused on reducing tensions with the Soviet Union (détente), and engaged in shuttle diplomacy to resolve the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Even where Kissinger’s policies yielded body counts and oppression, such as prolonging the war in Vietnam and its expansion into Cambodia and Laos, overthrowing the leftist Allende government in Chile, and supporting the dirty war in Argentina, Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor and the bloodshed in East Pakistan, (what is today Bangladesh), they credit Kissinger with making America a respected, if imperfect super power. America first.
On the BBC, former CFR president Richard Haass dismissed Kissinger’s critics, noting that “history will judge Kissinger’s accomplishments as far more significant.”
I hate to tell you Richard, but history isn’t written exclusively by white privileged men. It’s not a fraternity anymore.
Albright’s appointment as US secretary of state not only shattered the proverbial ceiling for women in US foreign policy, but it broke off the shackles of a narrow, all-or-nothing world view. It made room for values, principles, and viewpoints. Far from being idealistic, it reflected the direction the world was headed in. A world where history did not end but hurtled forward, in a most Kissingerian way, with countries pursuing progress — and power.
Henry Kissinger believed in the “indispensable” role, (a term Albright coined), the US played in the world. Ironically, as the son of German-Jewish immigrants to the US on the cusp of the Holocaust, he failed to acknowledge, though I believe he understood, that it was a role anchored in not only economic and military might but justice.
"America has never been true to itself unless it meant something beyond itself,” Kissinger noted. Henry Kissinger’s America was never true. It limited itself to the pursuit of power, not for leadership but authority. — Elmira
Also, he was a Yankees fan. 🙄
Elsewhere in the World.....
On our radar...
Just before Thanksgiving, the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) launched a report on sexual and gender-based violence and its link to terrorism. The report dives into the various legal frameworks to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate sexual and gender-based violence linked to terrorism. An important report that (hopefully) will contribute to justice for sexual and gender-based violence victims. (United Nations)
Annie Pforzheimer and Shabnam Nasimi also point to the importance of putting women’s rights at the heart of counterterrorism. (Ms.)
Violence against women in the workplace is now recognized as a human rights violation. Thirty-six countries have ratified the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment at Work. It lays out comprehensive standards for preventing and responding to violence and harassment at work. Now thru December 10, Human Rights Watch will highlight the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, write Macarena Sáez and Negar Mohtashami Khojasteh, in an effort to get more countries on board. (HRW)
COP28
As COP28 kicks off in Dubai, Elsa Barron and FPI Fellow Erin Sikorsky outline the climate security issues to watch. (Council on Strategic Risks)
This year’s COP28 is brought to you by oil barons. Mariana Hyde points out the irony and hypocrisy that the UN climate summit is being held in Dubai – and that the president of the conference also happens to be the CEO of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil firm. 🤦🏻♀️ (The Guardian)
Climate risks are a stark reality for small island developing states (SIDS) across the world. Khadeeja Naseem calls for COP28 to include climate compensation for SIDS, citing the loss and damages caused by climate disasters that last for generations. (Nikkei Asia)
Rich countries and multinational corporations will dominate COP28, when it really should be the Global South, Africa in particular, which is on the “frontlines of climate and ecological breakdown,” as Connie Nagiah and Margaret Mapondera point out. They write about the need for an alternative summit, the Women’s Climate Assembly to demand real climate justice. (African Arguments)
Artificial Intelligence
On November 10, the European Union appeared on track to push through groundbreaking legislation regulating AI. Then, Germany, France, and Italy brought up objections to the bill, noting that it would “stifle innovation.” Estonia’s former prime minister, Kersti Kaljulaid, pushes back, noting that her country “is bound by the exact same EU rules and regulations as Germany, yet has a vibrant and thriving startup ecosystem.” (Time)
What exactly are France, Germany, and Italy pushing back on regarding the EU AI Act? Something called foundation models — Chat GPT is an example of a foundational model. It’s a machine learning technology that can perform a range of tasks. Sharon Goldman explains what the three countries are opposed to. (Venture Beat)
Listen: Joy Buolamwini discusses the racism and sexism in AI, what she calls the “coded gaze.” (Fresh Air)
At the heart of the Open AI saga: safety v. profit. Profit won, which Katharina Pistor notes is not surprising. “Capital usually wins out when there are competing visions for the future of an innovative product or business model.” (Project Syndicate)
Deepfake technology is employed by world leaders to confuse their enemies. Now, as AI becomes more powerful, experts fear deepfake technology could be employed in the nuclear realm. Real data has the potential to be fake in form, says Sarah Coles. (Coda Story)
Israel-Palestine
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages on both sides as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. According to the Washington Post, Hamas has freed 104 hostages taken in the October 7 attack. One hundred forty three remain in Gaza. Israel, in turn, has released imprisoned Palestinians.
On the hostage-prisoner exchange, Frida Ghittis notes that for the Israelis, this exchange has been “bitingly bittersweet.” She notes that “it’s a moral and strategic dilemma of the highest order.” (CNN)
It seems that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has a pattern of inviting public figures with histories of anti-semitism including – but not limited to his recent visit with Elon Musk and former US president Donald Trump. Emily Tamkin digs in. (Slate)
October 7 brought the status quo on the Israel-Palestine issue “crashing down,” as Dahlia Scheindlin notes. Despite this, it is unlikely to reverse Israel’s rightward tilt — or the cycle of misery on both sides. (Foreign Affairs)
Germany's unquestioning support of Israel and blame of antisemitism on pro-Palestine activists support right-wing anti-migrant and Islamophobic nationalism, showing a disregard for their own history writes Josephine Valeske. (Middle East Eye)
US
Lisa and Peter Weinstock think that opening American homes to refugees is not only “deeply American” but has helped many people across different conflicts. Parole programs that allow for this to happen must be upheld — and Texas is attempting to tear one down. (USA Today)
The Thanksgiving tradition of abundant feasting creates over 300 million pounds of holiday food waste, while one in eight Americans lack adequate food. Chiara Evelti writes that the US is aiming to fortify global food security. (International Policy Digest)
Despite sanctions, the US has not toppled Putin or led to withdrawal from Ukraine. In fact, because of diverse partnerships with other countries around the world, Russia’s economy is doing better than expected. It’s time for the US to rethink its strategy of economic coercion, writes Sophia Ampgkarian. (Responsible Statecraft)
Africa
Was it a coup attempt? Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, awoke to gunfire on Sunday. Thirteen military officers have been arrested for what appears to be an attempted coup. Mayeni Jones looks at the potential motives, in a region that has seen a wave of coups recently. (BBC)
As the war in Sudan continues, former Liberian president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, pleads for the world not to ignore the suffering and plight of the country’s women. (Al Jazeera)
Asia
The Taliban want to join the UN – what’s stopping them? Their treatment of women and girls, for starters, writes Anne Marie Goetz. (PassBlue)
Fearing an economic slowdown and a shrinking population, China’s government has not only reversed the long-standing “one child policy,” but has embraced the view that Chinese women should get married and have babies. Interruptrr pal Leta Hong Fincher writes about the “leftover women” campaign and the young Chinese women standing up against it. (NYT)
During Xi Jinping's meeting with President Biden and American CEOs, news broke of Jack Ma's family trust selling $871 million worth of Alibaba shares. Simone Gao writes that Ma's sale reflects doubts about China's economy. (The Hill)
English? Maybe not in China’s future education. Two years ago, the government banned private lessons for English as a second language. The form of community unity and speaking Chinese as a main language is key, writes Amanda Florian. (New Lines Magazine)
On November 21, North Korea launched a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution banning the use of ballistic missile technology. In response, the South Korean government partially scrapped the Comprehensive Military Agreement between the two countries. Soyoung Kim on what actions the two nations could now potentially take and how we got here. (The Diplomat)
North Korea says its satellite Malligyong-1 captured a clear image of the White House. Isabel van Brugen weighs in on how Russia might be supporting North Korea’s satellite program, as well as the White House response to the space launch vehicle. (Newsweek)
Middle East
In 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini, protests rippled through many Iranian cities. Mona Tajali says that though these demonstrations have tapered off, activism persists through various channels. (The Conversation)
The Americas
A right-wing libertarian, climate-change denier, and anti-communist Javier Milei was elected to be Argentina’s president last week. Kezia McKeague, Jimena Blanco, Juan Cruz Diaz, Jerry Hear, Carlos Fera, and Tobias Belgrano weigh in on how we got here and what’s to come. (The Dialogue)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is looking to the military to fight crime, a move that puts human rights at risk. Anaís Medeiros Passos explains the urgent need for reforming the police in Brazil. (Americas Quarterly)
Europe
Listen: In the Netherlands, far-right leader Geert Wilders came out on top in the Dutch election last Sunday, sending shock waves through Brussels and beyond. Suzanne Lynch talked to Eline Schaart and Nicholas Vinocur about the result, and what it potentially means for the EU moving forward. (Politico)
Caroline de Gruyter argues that Geert Wilders won’t push for the Netherlands to leave the EU, but it will work to shape it in his image. (Foreign Policy)
Violent riots broke out in Dublin last week, following a knife attack on school children. Lauren Irwin lays out the five things we need to know about the incident. (The Hill)
Finland closed its borders to Russia this week. Miranda Bryant explains why. (The Guardian)
The EU is working on reforming its fiscal rules and grappling with debt. Over the past three years it has faced fiscal challenges in the face of Covid 19, Russia’s war on Ukraine, an energy crisis, and global inflation. Chiara Malaponti proposes the creation of a European debt agency as a way of dealing with the competing concerns over stability and growth. (ECFR)
Science and Climate Change
An international loss-and-damage fund for climate-related crises is a great idea, but Laura Kuhl, Jamie Shinn, Istiakh Ahmed, M. Feisal Rahman, Johan Arango-Quiroga, and Saleem Huq have some suggestions on how it must be run. They critique the accessibility of current projects and discuss the capabilities of new ones. (Nature)
Technology
Listen: Counter-terrorism technology is being used and abused left and right, creating huge risks to human rights. Paras Shah interviews Fionnuala Ni Aolain. (Just Security)
Links We Loved....
Catherine has been making lots of chili to stay warm as winter bites New York. Check out her favorite recipe here.
Nothing is better than a cup of mulled apple cider in the chilly weather. This mulled cider recipe is one of our favorite!
Does Cookie Monster really eat cookies?
Want a pet, but don’t want to commit? Check out a robo cat from the library!
Opportunities
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking applicants for its 2024–25 Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship.
The Afghanistan War Commission is hiring for a Senior Development Analyst.
The Young Professionals in Foreign Policy is taking applications for its Rising Experts Program thru December 19.
Editorial Team
Elmira Bayrasli - Editor-in-Chief
Editors:
Pin-Shan Lai
Catherine Lovizio
Maya Scott
Emily Smith