A few days before his passing, I was eager to engage in an intellectual dialogue with the renowned diplomat Martin Indyk, whose extensive experience in our region made his insights invaluable. I had hoped to document our conversation, but, unfortunately, Indyk passed away before we could begin our discussion.
His last book was a profound examination of Henry Kissinger, a statesman who played a crucial role in shaping the region. Indyk chose a fitting and creative title for the book: The Master of the Game. The title itself serves as both a message and an accurate portrayal of Kissinger, a man whose influence and strategic acumen endured until his passing at the age of 100. This book is an essential resource for understanding Kissinger’s diplomacy and its lasting impact on the Middle East peace process. It offers an in-depth exploration of his strategies and interactions with regional leaders.
Martin Indyk, the former US ambassador to Israel, authored Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy, in which he examines Kissinger’s pivotal role in Middle East peace negotiations following the October 1973 War. The book is based on thousands of declassified documents from the US and Israeli archives, as well as interviews with Kissinger and other key officials.
With his strategic brilliance, Kissinger was able to broker three significant agreements that shaped Middle East diplomacy: two between Egypt and Israel and one between Israel and Syria, all of which contributed to ending the October War. His diplomacy was marked by calculated precision, pragmatism, and an acute understanding of geopolitical realities.
Given the region’s persistent volatility, we are reminded of the importance of figures who understand the delicate balance required to support the United States' strategic ally — Israel— without destabilizing the entire region. Kissinger’s approach stood in stark contrast to actions that exacerbate tensions, create instability, and fuel further conflict.
With Kissinger’s passing, the Middle East has lost a key figure who bore witness to a defining era in its modern history, one that influenced the region’s course for decades. His legacy remains unique in political history. Kissinger uniquely transitioned from studying politics to teaching political theory and then becoming a statesman who skillfully applied those theories on the world stage.
As with any historical figure, Kissinger's legacy will be widely debated, much like those of politicians, adventurers, and revolutionaries before him. His success was not merely a result of talent and intellectual prowess; fate also played a crucial role in his journey.
The Jewish dimension of Kissinger’s identity initially made him hesitant to engage directly in the Arab-Israeli conflict. However, once he stepped into the realm of war and diplomacy, he left an indelible mark on the Middle East, imprinting his legacy across its deserts and valleys.
In light of the recent discussions on displacement, one cannot help but long for the rational pragmatism that Kissinger embodied — a Western statesman who understood boundaries and international balances before embarking on policies with irreversible consequences.
So why do we remember Kissinger? Fundamentally, he was the architect of many of the region’s political equilibria, and his influence remains embedded in US policies toward the Middle East even today. His legacy serves as a reminder of the rational diplomacy the region desperately needs in these tumultuous times.
