A Tangled Web: Making of Foreign Policy in the Nixon Presidency - Hardcover

Bundy, William P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 186064273X ISBN 13: 9781860642739

Publisher: I.B. Tauris, 1998

Synopsis

Richard Nixon's accomplishments in foreign affairs - his China policy, detente with the USSR and the conclusion of the Vietnam War - have long been cited as an enduring legacy. Despite the scandal of Watergate, Nixon and Henry Kissinger have maintained their reputations as skilful, wise practitioners of global realpolitik. Those assumptions are reassessed in this account of the Nixon-Kissinger record, which strutinizes not only their policy planning, negotiating techniques, press relations, and political and diplomatic activities, but also short- and long-term gains and losses. Bundy presents an analysis of the modus operandi of Nixon and Kissinger, describing the real dangers of Nixon's manipulative, often deceitful habits and of Kissinger's indifference to the democratic process.

About this title

Review

Commentators have often argued that Richard Nixon's greatest strength was in foreign policy, and that his work in the international arena would be his true legacy. Offering a balanced, though ultimately critical, view of Nixon as foreign-policy strategist is William Bundy, a former intelligence officer and the former editor of Foreign Affairs magazine. Bundy writes with prodigious detail about the great international events of the Nixon years, including not only Nixon's handling of Vietnam, China and the Middle East, but also the role the U.S. played in Chile, Iran and in the Indo-Pakistan war. And, of course, Bundy also examines closely the role played by Henry Kissinger in the great diplomatic endeavours and the mysterious secret operations of the Nixon Administration. The debate about Nixon and Kissinger's foreign policy will no doubt continue for decades, and A Tangled Web will likely be a major resource for those who wish to understand those significant years. --Robert McNamara

About the Author

William P. Bundy has held key positions in the CIA and the US Defense and State Departments. He was the Editor of Foreign Affairs from 1972-1984.

Edition details

• Publisher: I.B. Tauris
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 186064273X
• ISBN 13: 9781860642739
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 768