The Trial of Henry Kissinger

The Trial of Henry Kissinger is a book written by Christopher Hitchens, first published in 2001 by Verso Books, which examines the career of former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and alleges that he committed war crimes during his tenure. The book is based on Hitchens's own research and interviews with Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and other key figures, including Alexander Haig and Brent Scowcroft. Hitchens also draws on the work of other authors, such as Seymour Hersh and William Shawcross, to build his case against Kissinger. The book has been praised by Noam Chomsky and Harold Pinter, among others, for its thorough and well-reasoned critique of Kissinger's actions.

● Introduction

The book begins with an introduction to Henry Kissinger's life and career, including his early years as a Harvard University professor and his rise to prominence as a key advisor to Richard Nixon during the 1968 United States presidential election. Hitchens also discusses the role of other key figures, such as Nelson Rockefeller and William F. Buckley Jr., in shaping Kissinger's worldview and influencing his decisions. The introduction sets the stage for the rest of the book, which explores the allegations of war crimes and other wrongdoing that have been leveled against Kissinger by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations. Kissinger's relationships with other world leaders, including Mao Zedong, Leonid Brezhnev, and Anwar El-Sadat, are also examined in detail.

● Background

The background to the allegations against Henry Kissinger is complex and multifaceted, involving a range of events and policies that took place during the Vietnam War and other conflicts. Hitchens discusses the role of Kissinger in the Secret bombing of Cambodia, which was authorized by Richard Nixon and resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. The book also explores the impact of Kissinger's policies on the people of Chile, where the CIA-backed coup that overthrew Salvador Allende in 1973 led to a long period of military dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet. Other key events, such as the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indonesian invasion of East Timor, are also examined in detail, with Hitchens drawing on the work of authors such as Tariq Ali and John Pilger to build his case against Kissinger.

● Charges and Allegations

The charges and allegations against Henry Kissinger are numerous and serious, involving a range of war crimes and other wrongdoing. Hitchens discusses the allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity that have been leveled against Kissinger by Raphael Lemkin and other experts, and examines the evidence for these claims in detail. The book also explores the role of Kissinger in the Phoenix Program, a CIA-run operation that targeted Viet Cong operatives and resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Other allegations, such as torture and disappearance, are also examined, with Hitchens drawing on the work of authors such as Mark Danner and Reed Brody to build his case against Kissinger.

● Investigation and Findings

The investigation into the allegations against Henry Kissinger has been ongoing for many years, with a range of organizations and individuals contributing to the effort. Hitchens discusses the work of the Church Committee, which investigated CIA and FBI activities during the 1970s, and the Pike Committee, which examined the role of the CIA in the Chilean coup. The book also explores the findings of the Truth Commission in Chile, which documented the human rights abuses that took place during the Pinochet regime. Other investigations, such as the War Crimes Tribunal established by Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre, are also examined in detail, with Hitchens drawing on the work of authors such as Arundhati Roy and Naomi Klein to build his case against Kissinger.

● Impact and Legacy

The impact and legacy of Henry Kissinger's actions are still being felt today, with many of the conflicts and crises that he helped to create or exacerbate still ongoing. Hitchens discusses the role of Kissinger in shaping the foreign policy of the United States, and examines the influence of his ideas on other world leaders, such as Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. The book also explores the impact of Kissinger's policies on the people of Iraq, where the Gulf War and subsequent sanctions regime had a devastating effect on the civilian population. Other legacies, such as the War on Terror and the invasion of Afghanistan, are also examined in detail, with Hitchens drawing on the work of authors such as Chalmers Johnson and Nafeez Ahmed to build his case against Kissinger.

● Criticism and Controversy

The criticism and controversy surrounding Henry Kissinger's actions have been intense and ongoing, with many authors and activists contributing to the debate. Hitchens discusses the criticism of Kissinger by authors such as Gore Vidal and William Blum, and examines the controversy surrounding his Nobel Peace Prize award in 1973. The book also explores the criticism of Kissinger by organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and examines the efforts of activists such as Daniel Ellsberg and Howard Zinn to hold him accountable for his actions. Other critics, such as John le Carré and Harold Pinter, are also discussed, with Hitchens drawing on their work to build his case against Kissinger. Category:Books about politics