The Kissinger Cables: How America's Top Diplomat Changed the World

Nov. 30, 2023, 4:30 a.m. Politics

The Kissinger Cables: How America's Top Diplomat Changed the World

In 1971, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger secretly traveled to China to meet with Communist Party officials. The meeting paved the way for President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China the following year, which helped normalize relations between the two countries.

Kissinger's secret trip to China was just one of the many ways he shaped American foreign policy during his tenure as secretary of state from 1973 to 1977. A new book, "The Kissinger Cables: How America's Top Diplomat Changed the World," published by The Intercept, shows how Kissinger used his position to influence world events.

The book is based on a cache of more than 1.7 million diplomatic cables that were leaked to The Intercept. The cables show how Kissinger used his position to advance American interests around the world.

In one cable, Kissinger secretly pressured the Chilean military to overthrow the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. Allende's government was opposed by the United States because of its socialist policies.

Kissinger also played a key role in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The cables show how he used his relationships with Arab leaders to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Egypt.

The cables also reveal how Kissinger spied on American allies, including the United Kingdom and Canada. In one instance, Kissinger ordered the bugging of British Prime Minister Harold Wilson's office.

The Kissinger Cables show how America's top diplomat used his position to influence world events. Kissinger's legacy is still being felt today, and the cables provide new insight into his diplomatic tactics.