World leaders and other people offered a polarized reaction to the death of the lionized and vilified former diplomat Henry Kissinger, who managed to hold global attention decades after his service as U.S. secretary of state.

Criticism of Kissinger was especially strong on social media, where he was widely referred to as a war criminal.

Kissinger exerted uncommon influence on global affairs long after he left office. He met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing in July, while bilateral relations were at a low point. Xi told him that both sides need to “make new decisions” that could result in stable ties and “joint success and prosperity.” Kissinger is revered in China for having engineered the opening of relations between the ruling Communist Party and Washington under Nixon.

    • RBG
      10•9 months ago

      Yes, I think so. What does it matter he is dead? He committed those crimes long ago. They don’t just vanish with his death. And he died of old age. No suffering, how is that so great?

      • @[email protected]
        29•9 months ago

        He still had influence on current leadership. Just recently he was giving his shit takes on Gaza. For that reason alone it’s pretty great that he’s dead.

        The world is also just a slightly better place without him in it.

        • RBG
          2•9 months ago

          OK, I agree with that. I haven’t followed up with politics around that since, well, it’s a shit show.

  • bedrooms
    8•9 months ago

    Me, not American:

    “Who is this Ki…”

    … Nixon.

    “ok.”