Kissinger

This second installment examines how Henry Kissinger's staunch anti‑Communist stance influenced American foreign policy across Vietnam, China, Chile and the Soviet Union during the latter half of the twentieth century. It traces the impact of his zeal on diplomatic decisions throughout that era.

"The Opportunist" is a programme presented as an episode, and this installment forms the second half of a two‑part series. It continues the investigation begun in the first part, focusing on a single, influential figure in recent history. The episode concentrates on Henry Kissinger’s fervent anti‑Communist stance and the way it steered American foreign policy. It tracks how his ideology coloured the United States’ actions in four key arenas – the conflict in Vietnam, diplomatic manoeuvring with China, interventions in Chile, and dealings with the Soviet Union – throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. By charting Kissinger’s involvement across these diverse regions, the programme illustrates the breadth of his impact. It shows how his anti‑Communist drive underpinned decisions that shaped military engagements, diplomatic overtures and covert operations, linking seemingly separate events into a coherent strategic pattern. In sum, the second part of "The Opportunist" ties together the threads introduced earlier, presenting a concise portrait of how one man’s ideological zeal helped mould the United States’ global approach during a pivotal era of the Cold War.