Strangelove’s view

It's been a while since we've heard from Dr. Strangelove himself, Henry A. Kissinger. (His forthcoming book, “On China,” should be fascinating.) He reviews “BISMARCK - A Life,” a new book by historian Jonathan Steinberg, for the New York Times.

Dr. K focuses on the foreign policy brilliance of Prussian leader Otto von Bismarck. It's erudite and worth reading. Being of German descent himself, Kissinger has a special interest in the protagonist. Of interest to me is Kissinger’s view of power, a favorite theme of the Strangelovian ex-diplomat.

He writes:

“Bismarck is often cited as the quintessential realist, relying on power at the expense of ideals. He was, in fact, far more complicated. Power, to be useful, must be understood in its components, including its limits. By the same token, ideals must be brought, at some point, into relationship with the circumstances the leader is seeking to affect. Ignoring that balance threatens policy with either veering toward belligerence from the advocates of power or toward crusades by the idealists.”

One wonders whether Dr. K had Libya, Mr. Obama and the president's critics in mind as he wrote this passage - wink, wink. Love him or hate him (I’m ambivalent), Kissinger rarely disappoints. (Illustration Credit: Patrick Thomas; Hulton Archive/Getty Images and Corbis)