Henry Kissinger and the Madness at the Heart of US Grand Strategy.

This article examines the career of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and his most famous foreign policy, the Madman Theory. Kissinger's contribution to the Madman Theory was centered on his research into a viable role for tactical nuclear weapons in limited war scenarios. He believed that the fear of all-out thermonuclear war could be used to guarantee the limits of war and diplomacy. Kissinger's implementation of the Madman Theory during his time in office, particularly in Southeast Asia, aimed to convince adversaries of the US's irrational intent. The article also discusses the debate surrounding the origins of Nixon's foreign policy beliefs and the impact of Kissinger on his strategic vision. The Madman Theory remains a controversial aspect of Kissinger's legacy, and its potential resurgence in US grand strategy is explored in relation to the Trump administration. [Extracted from the article]