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lukas
, January 07, 2014
(view all comments by lukas)
There's been a tendency in recent years to rehabilitate Henry Kissinger's reputation (though for plenty of conservatives, he never needed rehabilitating) and he's been enjoying his autumn years as the grand man of American diplomacy. Although I loathe the man, I'll admit that he was a brilliant strategist and an intellectual powerhouse. This new history of the conflict between India, Pakistan and what would become Bangladesh raises the question, does it matter how great a diplomatic talent you are if you have no moral center? This excellent, absorbing and appalling history of a little known period tells three stories: that of Southeast Asian politics and conflict, that of Nixon and Kissinger's machinations (they were resolutely pro-Pakistan and anti-Indian) and that of Archer Blood, an unsung hero who dissent with the President and tried to draw attention to the atrocities he was seeing in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). It's a revealing look at how Nixon operated, hating most everyone, calling Indira Ghandi a bitch and the Indians "savages" and tolerating no dissension. Anyone who cares about American politics and are our involvement in the region, this is an essential, eye-opening book.
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