World Order: Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History

What are the key aspects of the Peace of Westphalia: its original historic context and contemporary applications? Why does Kissinger consider the Peace of Westphalia important to international relations?

In World Order, Kissinger differentiates between the West (including Europe and the United States), Russia, China, and Islamic countries in a way that resembles Samuel P. Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” concept. What are the benefits and drawbacks of examining international relations through this prism?

How does Kissinger’s professional experience serving the Nixon and Ford administrations translate into his ideas about global order?