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Articles on Henry Kissinger

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In this 1979 photo, Mother Teresa receives the Nobel Peace Prize during a ceremony at Oslo University. At right is the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, John Sanness. In subsequent years, Mother Teresa has faced criticisms. (Henrik Laurivik/NTB via AP, File)

The Nobel Peace Prize often reveals how contentious peace can be

Peace can become political when advocates oppose or try to reform governments and societies pursuing hostile foreign relations — or when these societies perpetuate injustice and oppression at home.
Supporters of Ukraine, like these demonstrators in Boston on Feb. 27, 2022, are likely to be disappointed by any peace deal. Vincent Ricci/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Lessons in realpolitik from Nixon and Kissinger: Ideals go only so far in ending conflict in places like Ukraine

The US frequently chooses to put its own interest ahead of its professed values. That approach to foreign policy is called ‘realpolitik’ and it may lead to an unsatisfying peace deal in Ukraine.
The US ambassador to the USSR, George Kennan, chats with a reporter in 1952 after the Soviets told the US State Department that Kennan must be recalled immediately. Bettmann/contributor/Getty Images

George Kennan urged American leadership and patience to counter the Soviets. Instead, the Cold War ensued

Kennan was one of America’s few true experts on Soviet affairs. He famously urged a “Containment” strategy to prevent Soviet expansionism, advising against military responses and arms build-ups.
US President Ronald Reagan meeting with Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov in the Oval Office in 1988. White House Photographic Collection/Wikimedia Commons

How Andrei Sakharov went from Soviet hero to dissident — and forced the world to pay attention to human rights

Andrei Sakharov was one of the most brilliant scientists of the nuclear age. But he is best remembered today as one of the most fearless defenders of human rights around the world.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, is visible as President Joe Biden holds a virtual meeting with the Mexican president at the White House in March 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Joe Biden’s first 100 days: A nostalgia for past foreign policy bravado?

What do Biden’s first 100 days in office mean for the next four years in terms of foreign policy? There are already some clues — but questions too.
Biden’s is entrusting Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken to set U.S. foreign policy on a different course. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Biden’s chance to revive US tradition of inserting ethics in foreign policy

Four years of ‘America First’ has seen the US retreat from the world. But as a scholar of international relations explains, Biden could return Washington to the role of a more moral global leader.
The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who have tracked over 100 children stolen by Argentina’s 1976-1983 military junta, were among the human rights activists that pushed the US to declassify intelligence documents related to the dictatorship. Reuters/Marcos Brindicci

Truth, justice and declassification: Secret archives show US helped Argentine military wage ‘dirty war’ that killed 30,000

Traveling death squads. Sadistic torture techniques. Stolen babies. The US helped it all happen by aiding Argentina’s military regime in the 1970s, according to newly declassified documents.

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