Spiegal (German) Interview - Henry Kissinger Describes Bush FP As Unrealistic, Praises Obama

[TomCADem]

I have to say that I am surprised at Kissinger's criticism of neocons, endorsement of a two state solution in Israel, as well President Obama putting pressure on Israel and reaching out to the Muslim world. I am not a Kissinger fan, but he is knowledgeable and it is surprising to see him not only praise President Obama's foreign policy, but also condemn many tenets of neocon foreign policy. The irony is that today's Republicans like to portray President Obama as naive, yet here is Henry Kissinger ultimately describing them as the pie-in-the-sky idealists who believe they can bomb countries into accepting democracy. It is an interesting analysis that comes from a former McCain supporter who you would not expect to praise a President Obama's foreign policy.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=8010889&page=1

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SPIEGEL: So you are calling for a kind of realistic idealism?

Kissinger: Exactly. There is no realism without an element of idealism. The idea of abstract power only exists for academics, not in real life.

SPIEGEL: Do you think it was helpful for Obama to deliver a speech to the Islamic world in Cairo? Or has he created a lot of illusions about what politics can deliver?

Kissinger: Obama is like a chess player who is playing simultaneous chess and has opened his game with an unusual opening. Now he's got to play his hand as he plays his various counterparts. We haven't gotten beyond the opening game move yet. I have no quarrel with the opening move.

SPIEGEL: But is what we have seen so far from him truly realpolitik?

Kissinger: It is also too early to say that. If what he wants to do is convey to the Islamic world that America has an open attitude to dialogue and is not determined on physical confrontation as its only strategy, then it can play a very useful role. If it were to be continued on the belief that every crisis can be managed by a philosophical speech, then he will run into Wilsonian problems.

SPIEGEL: Obama did not only hold a speech. At the same time, he placed pressure on Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank and to recognize an independent Palestinian state.

Kissinger: The outcome can only be a two-state solution, and there seems to be substantial agreement on the borders of such a state. Now, how you bring that about and what phases of negotiation, what issue you start with, that you cannot deduce from one speech.

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[Colobo]

1. Wow! Amazing praise by a First Rate Bastard.

[TomCADem]

2. A Blind Squirrel Occasionally Finds A Nut

However, it is not the endorsement that surprises me. Rather, Kissinger's analysis is cogent and well thought out. It is so amazing to hear a Republican offer analysis, rather than a recitation of Rupert Murdoch approved talking points.

[Colobo]

3. I agree.

[elleng]

4. Surprised?

Kissinger's an opportunist, non? He's got a business to maintain, after all.

[Mira]

5. Fine. Kissinger is a bastard, but he is a smart bastard. He can't spin what is

obviously brilliant chess play. It's critical in the survival of all, in face of overwhelming odds that can no longer be denied, that with Obama at the helm the world might find a chance for physical survival.

We are, world wide, at the base of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Food - Shelter - Clothing.
After that, we can deal with more lofty necessities.

Geez.
I hate hate hate Bush for having set us back so far, so fast.