Dazzling and instructive . [a] magisterial new book. Walter Isaacson, TimeHenry Kissinger offers inWorld Ordera deep meditation on the roots of international harmony and global disorder. Drawing on his experience as one of the foremost statesmen of the modern eraadvising presidents, traveling the world, observing and shaping the central foreign policy events of recent decadesKissinger 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 worlds 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 democracya 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 Kissingers deep study of history and his experience as national security advisor and secretary of state,World Orderguides readers through crucial episodes in recent world history.

Kissinger offers a unique glimpse into the inner deliberations of the Nixon administrations negotiations with Hanoi over the end of the Vietnam War, as well as Ronald Reagans tense debates with Soviet Premier Gorbachev in Reykjavk. 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 Wests response to the Arab Spring and tensions with Russia over Ukraine,World Orderanchors Kissingers historical analysis in the decisive events of our time.Provocative and articulate, blending historical insight with geopolitical prognostication,World Orderis a unique work that could come only from a lifelong policy maker and diplomat.