Dazzling and instructive . . . [a] magisterial new book. -Walter Isaacson Time Henry Kissinger
offers in World Order a deep meditation on the roots of international harmony and global
disorder. Drawing on his experience as one of the foremost statesmen of the modern era-advising
presidents traveling the world observing and shaping the central foreign policy events of
recent decades-Kissinger now reveals his analysis of the ultimate challenge for the
twenty-first century: how to build a shared international order in a world of divergent
historical perspectives violent conflict proliferating technology and ideological extremism.
There has never been a true world order Kissinger observes. For most of history civilizations
defined their own concepts of order. Each considered itself the center of the world and
envisioned its distinct principles as universally relevant. China conceived of a global
cultural hierarchy with the emperor at its pinnacle. In Europe Rome imagined itself surrounded
by barbarians when Rome fragmented European peoples refined a concept of an equilibrium of
sovereign states and sought to export it across the world. Islam in its early centuries
considered itself the world's sole legitimate political unit destined to expand indefinitely
until the world was brought into harmony by religious principles. The United States was born of
a conviction about the universal applicability of democracy-a conviction that has guided its
policies ever since. Now international affairs take place on a global basis and these
historical concepts of world order are meeting. Every region participates in questions of high
policy in every other often instantaneously. Yet there is no consensus among the major actors
about the rules and limits guiding this process or its ultimate destination. The result is
mounting tension. Grounded in Kissinger's deep study of history and his experience as national
security advisor and secretary of state World Order guides readers through crucial episodes in
recent world history. Kissinger offers a unique glimpse into the inner deliberations of the
Nixon administration's negotiations with Hanoi over the end of the Vietnam War as well as
Ronald Reagan's tense debates with Soviet Premier Gorbachev in Reykjavík. He offers compelling
insights into the future of U.S.-China relations and the evolution of the European Union and
he examines lessons of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Taking readers from his analysis
of nuclear negotiations with Iran through the West's response to the Arab Spring and tensions
with Russia over Ukraine World Order anchors Kissinger's historical analysis in the decisive
events of our time. Provocative and articulate blending historical insight with geopolitical
prognostication World Order is a unique work that could come only from a lifelong policy maker
and diplomat. Kissinger is also the author of On China.
