Quote by Christopher Hitchens
Kissinger projects a strong impression of a man at home in the world and on top of his brief. But there are a number of occasions when it suits him to pose as a sort of Candide: naive, and ill-prepared for and easily unhorsed by events. No doubt this pose costs him something in point of self-esteem. It is a pose, furthermore, which he often adopts at precisely the time when the record shows him to be knowledgeable, and when knowledge or foreknowledge would also confront him with charges of responsibility or complicity.
Summary
This quote suggests that despite projecting an image of being well-informed and capable, Kissinger occasionally assumes a persona of naïveté to distance himself from certain events and avoid taking responsibility. By posing as an unprepared and innocent observer, he can avoid accusations of complicity or accountability. However, this portrayal also undermines his self-esteem and implies that he knowingly chooses to appear ignorant, even though evidence shows his awareness and involvement.
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