Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned on Friday that the US may be “on the verge of war” with Russia and China, as the Biden administration grapples with historically strained ties with the two despotic governments.
Without mentioning names, the 99-year-old statesman stated that in today’s political atmosphere, American leaders are having “difficulties identifying a course,” which he feels has led to escalating global tensions.
‘We are on the verge of conflict with Russia and China over crises that we helped to create,’ Kissinger told the Wall Street Journal.
All you can do is slow down the tensions and generate alternatives, which requires a sense of purpose.’
He envisioned a global order based on a balance of moral and geopolitical stability, in which nations recognize each other’s often competing ideals while keeping them distinct from the bargaining table.
However, Kissinger told the Journal that today’s US politicians and voters have difficulty distinguishing between ‘personal connections with the opponent’ and sustaining solid diplomatic negotiations.
‘I believe the present moment is having a difficult time determining a direction,’ Kissinger stated.
‘It responds extremely well to the emotion of the moment.’
He said that leaders in today’s American political atmosphere have difficulty distinguishing between personal connections and diplomatic ties.
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He said that leaders in today’s American political atmosphere have difficulty distinguishing between personal connections and diplomatic ties.
His warning came just days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s contentious travel to Taiwan, which China’s leadership strongly criticized as a breach of the US’s long-standing One China Policy.
Even President Joe Biden and the US military had reservations about the trip, which took place with little previous notification of the Speaker’s presence in Taipei.
Nonetheless, Kissinger advised the Biden administration to maintain the status quo diplomatically, despite bipartisan demands for the president to be harsher on Beijing.
‘The strategy that was followed out by both sides generated and enabled Taiwan to evolve into an independent democratic country, and it has sustained peace between China and the United States for 50 years,’ Kissinger added.
‘As a result, efforts that seem to affect the underlying framework should be approached with caution.’
His warning also came three days before it was revealed early Sunday morning that another US Congressional delegation, including Senators and House members, is on its way to Taipei.
Officials in Washington have told Beijing that Congress operates independently of the executive branch, and that the trips have no influence on US foreign policy.
Nonetheless, Chinese leaders and state media have issued grim warnings about the implications if the US continues on its current course.
But, about five months after Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated an invasion of the neighboring Slavic state, Kissinger seemed to change his mind on Ukraine joining NATO.
He was previously chastised for implying that NATO’s openness to Ukraine joining its defense alliance was to blame for Russia’s violent and unjustified assault.
‘I was in favor of Ukraine’s complete independence, but I felt its greatest function would be something like Finland,’ Kissinger added, referring to Finland’s agreement that has no standing military of its own.
‘Now I believe that, one way or another, officially or informally, Ukraine must be considered as a NATO member in the aftermath of this.’