The Trials of Henry Kissinger

The Trials of Henry Kissinger

Henry Kissinger is by far one of the most interesting political figures of the 20th Century. Much like former President Richard Nixon, under whom he served, Kissinger is both a brilliant political strategist, but in addition to that – or perhaps because of it – inhabited throughout his career many morally grey areas.

The Trials of Henry Kissinger is a documentary that examines recent charges that the former Secretary of State engaged in activities that would be considered war crimes under international law.

Eugene Jarecki’s documentary was inspired by, and takes its name from the book ‘The Trial of Henry Kissinger’ by Christopher Hitchins. Not having read that book, I cannot comment on it. I will however say the film itself both includes interviews with Hitchins as well has his detractors, so bias is no greater than any other documentary. The film lets the viewer make up their own mind about the situation, including interviews with those who support Kissinger’s policies. It’s pretty clear that while the majority of the film speaks toward the premise of Kissinger as war criminal, that is mostly because Kissinger himself has had the minutes of the majority of his meetings concerning the primary incidents either destroyed or sealed until 5 years after his death.

Regardless of the outcome of his policies (and totally leaving aside for a moment their legality), one can see that they were clearly shaped by a profoundly logical mind; and herein lies the challenge in analyzing and passing judgment on him. There is no question that Henry Kissinger was Machiavellian in his approach to international relations, but isn’t that what’s called for in a National Security Advisor? Is it also what’s called for in a Secretary of State? Is it even extricable from politics itself?

see the trailer

The problem with Machiavellian types is that they tend to apply the same techniques toward consolidating their own power for themselves as they do in their work as Civil Servants for the people. An idea which at it’s very core is un-American, and which for one such as Nixon proved more disastrous as his own personal paranoia grew. But for Kissinger, who managed to keep his wits about him through his work for multiple administrations (and perhaps in his post political lobbying career) it has allowed him to keep doing the work – some would say damage – he has been doing for most of his life. Or maybe he was just better at not getting caught. There is no question that Kissinger was a corrupting influence within the Nixon Administration, but as with all presidents, we expect them to weigh the advice of their advisors and act responsibly regardless of the advice of their advisors.

To this day there has never been a successful prosecution of a head of state anywhere in the world for war crimes. Nuremburg succeeded merely in providing relatively minor sentences to minor players in the Holocaust, but none of the major architects of the genocide ever saw their day in court. Likewise, from Pol Pot to Idi Amin, from Bosnia to Rwanda – the leaders of these massacres have never been brought to justice, despite the best attempts of the International community. It has been 65 years since the end of WWII and not a single head of state has ever been executed for war crimes by an international court (why do you think Saddam Hussein was tried in Iraq and not the Haig?).

Why is that? The Trials of Henry Kissinger may provide some answers.

Echoing Nixon himself, who said in the famous Frost interview regarding the Huston Plan, ‘but when the President does it, it is not illegal’, Kissinger has come out against the very idea of war crimes trials saying that ‘heads of state often have to choose between two evils’.

The Trials of Henry Kissinger is a thought-provoking documentary, which while focused on the career of one individual raises questions about power and responsibility in general. A must see for anyone interested in global politics.