Does America Need a Foreign Policy? : Toward a Diplomacy for the 21st Century

In this timely, thoughtful, and important book, at once far-seeing and brilliantly readable, America's most famous diplomatist explains why we urgently need a new and coherent foreign policy and what our foreign policy goals should be in this new millennium. In seven accessible chapters, Does America Need a Foreign Policy? provides a crystalline assessment of how the United States' ascendancy as the world's dominant presence in the twentieth century may be effectively reconciled with the urgent need in the twenty-first century to achieve a bold new world order. With a new Afterword by the author that addresses the situation in the aftermath of September 11, Does America Need a Foreign Policy? asks and answers the most pressing questions of our nation today.

Amazon.com Review
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger asks a question in the title of his book Does America Need a Foreign Policy?--but there's really no doubt about the answer. That's not to say it shouldn't be asked: "The last presidential election was the third in a row in which foreign policy was not seriously discussed by the candidates," writes Kissinger. "In the face of perhaps the most profound and widespread upheavals the world has ever seen, [the United States] has failed to develop concepts relevant to the emerging realities." Kissinger tours the world in this book, describing how the United States should relate to various regions and countries. This is not a gripping book, but it is sober, accessible, brief, and comprehensive--and an excellent introduction to international relations and diplomacy.

Kissinger has opinions on just about every topic he raises, from globalization (for it) to international courts (against them, for the most part). He supports a vigorous missile-defense system: "The United States cannot condemn its population to permanent vulnerability." He opines on peace in the Middle East: "Israel should abandon its opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state except as part of a final status agreement." His claims are often eye-opening: "There are few nations in the world with which the United States has less reason to quarrel or more compatible interests than Iran." He is especially critical of domestic politics interfering with America's international relations: "Whatever the merit of the individual legislative actions, their cumulative effect drives American foreign policy toward unilateral and seemingly bullying conduct." The media has been a special problem in this regard, as it zips around the world in search of exciting but ephemeral stories, which are "generally presented as a morality play between good and evil having a specific outcome and rarely in terms of the long-range challenges of history." Does America need a foreign policy? Of course it does, and Henry Kissinger has done readers a service by outlining what a good one might be. --John J. Miller

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A Diplomatic World Tour , 2007-02-10
Dr. Kissinger dissects the world into their geopolitical grouping, and discusses where current trends are taking each group. The book may be a little outdated since 911 and world terrorism was pushed to front stage, but generally the geopolitical groups remain. A united Europe dealing with a Russia once again as a rising power, the Middle East and the consequences of China becoming a mature power. As a reader that was of draft age during the Vietnam war it was ironic to read that Dr.Kissinger believes that the USA should not be a major player in the far East, but a better plan would be to play the power broker for the rivaling countries referencing Britain's role in regard to the powers on the European continent during the era of Napoleon.
This book is an easy read, very understandable. I read this book because the USA is always criticized for having no foreign policy every time World events hit us broadside.




0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Does America Need a Foreign Policy? ... by Dr.Kissinger PhD, 2006-07-07
Dr.Kissinger discusses the waning influence of Russia and the
rising Chinese modernization program. The author asks that we
develop a bond and new world order rather than a sheepish
acceptance of whatever happens over time. American pre-eminence
is a concommitant part of our ultimate destiny. The Treaty of
Westphalia in 1848 set forth the policy of national soverignty.
This policy implementation has been in place for decades since that time.

There is a new concept of Universal Humanitarianism and Jurisdiction by individual nations or even groups. Currently,
the historic nation states group together in order to formulate
strategies which benefit all. NAFTA is a clear example of this
doctrine in implementation. In the past, far lesser alliances and
transformations lead to big wars. The author believes that
nuclear proliferation renders war less likely because of the
strategic congruence of interests and stakes.

Currently, India, China, Russia and Japan treat each other as
strategic rivals. Previously, the Atlantic Relationship lasted
due to Russia, the unification of Germany and a growing European
identity. Russia proclaimed a zone of special influence in the
Balkans. Asia's challenge is how to prevent neighbors from
joining coalitions against it. The Middle East and Africa are
in a considerable state of flux. According to Dr.Kissinger,
humanitarianism is limited by our willingness to pay an
incremental price which may or may not be the ultimate price.

The book is a good historic rendition of the previous approaches
to global challenges, the new challenges posed and the strategic
interests aligned for the future.


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Grand tour of the world situation, 2006-06-17
This is a grand tour of the world situations facing the US. Henry shows great insight in showing how cultural values in different countries are misunderstood by US ambassadors, who are political apointees based on contributing to the party. One interesting aspect is the subtle condemnations of the Clinton foreign policy being incompetent and ineffective.


0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A classic overview but largely irrelevant in the current times., 2006-05-10
Kissinger writes with authority but- considering his past- why woudn't he! I guess because geo- politics is such a dynamic field, foreign policies need constant updates with times. For example, Kissinger's book gives us no idea how to steer American foreign policy vis-a-vis rise of strong modern Russia in international politics, American muddle in Iraq, defiant Iran and dangerous hermit kingdom of North Korea that has invented an entirely new art of nuclear blackmail/ threats in international relations.

Besides,I do not think Kissinger's advice on leaving violent world conflicts alone is either humanist or Christian or keeping up with the notion of America as the world's most powerful democracy and the land of liberty.

Not doing the right thing is tantamount to doing the wrong thing. Foreign policy of America ought to run according to the democratic and liberal principles America itself was founded upon. Bit of exercise of such a humane approach could have stopped massive human tragedies, horrifying genocides like Rawanda and brutal tyrannies like Uzbekistan.

American support and goodwill for human freedom in the world can only have positive impact on America's international image and trade. Compare such humane/ noble/ righteous actions to the weird approach of propping up dictators in Latin America, Iraq (Saddam Hussein), Afghanistan (Taliban) that super cool think tanks in the State Department have carried on in the past. What in the name of sweet hell were they thinking ? Maybe Mr. Kissinger knows better.

Also, dark side of hidden foreign policies and covert criminal operations/ cover-ups without the proper knowledge of citizens is in fact a betrayal. Having said that, Kissinger's overview is infiormative and interesting personal slant/study.

Alternative media sources are very important for informed public opinion. I recommend upcoming book by Craig Murray, 'Murder in Samarkand' that unveils the dark underbelly of foreign offices and their policies that are barely considerate of human freedom or dignity.


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Unbelievable Timing - Destined for Historical Study, 2006-01-25
This book has been described as Kissinger-light by some people I know. What that means is it doesn't get bogged down on every detail. Instead, it is a very readable book that people with only a modicum of international knowledge can still enjoy. It basically is a summary of U.S. foreign policy since it was forged as a nation.

Kissinger outlines each region of the world and then analyzes them with a uniquely discerning mind. The thrust of this book is how America went from its cold-war strategy in world affairs up until the summer before 9/11. Kissinger analyzes Clinton's attempts to develop a new policy and then shows how Clinton fumbled and floundered in every attempt outside our shores.

The best thing about this book and the reason it will be a classic for history students is its timing. The book ends just before 9/11 happened. I can not think of a better person than the foremost expert in world affairs to write a compendium just prior to such a watershed mark in world history.

This book will serve as the best tool of knowing just what was going on in the world and where things were heading prior to that fateful day that changed everyone's idea of what was happening in the world.

With the exception of a few fanatics that think they are still living in the sixties, Everyone knows that Kissinger is a brilliant man that is not easily matched on the world level. Kissinger's ability as Secretary of State was unprecedented in the 20th century and will not easily be surpassed in the 21st. His ability to analyze the minutia of details and events throughout the globe is awesome. The fact is when Kissinger speaks everyone with an interest in foreign affairs takes it serious and does not balk at what he has to say. There is no one else on the scene today that commands that kind of respect.

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