"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.
