At 99, Henry Kissinger talks about Ronald Reagan, peace and the Cold War

Three months shy of his 100th birthday, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stood at a podium in Simi Valley, leaning back against a wooden stool, and spoke about strength.

Kissinger, who gained accolades and criticism for his service on the cabinets of Republican presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, delivered a speech on the lawn of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley Monday. He honored Reagan in a celebration commemorating the late president's 112^th birthday.

In front of a crowd of 500 people that included Kissinger’s son, David, former California Gov. Pete Wilson and Reagan’s son, Michael, Kissinger explained how the president saw military strength as a way to avoid the Cold War with the Soviet Union "that cannot be won and must not be fought."

Kissinger, who lives in New York and also spends time in the Caribbean, came to the stage in a wheelchair on a chilly morning, a flag-decorated blanket placed in his lap. He stood for the National Anthem by grasping the hand of the Marine next to him. As he spoke, his voice gravelly with a still distinct German accent, he grasped the podium.

"Reagan knew America needed to be powerful in substance and mind to protect world order, by force if necessary," he said.

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Kissinger was born in Fürth, Germany, on May 27, 1923. He and his Jewish family fled to escape the Nazi regime in 1938, settling in New York. He gained citizenship and served in the Army at the end of World War II, earning a Bronze Star.

After his service, he earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Harvard, later becoming a professor. He became Nixon’s national security advisor in 1969 and four years later became the first secretary of state born on foreign soil. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his attempts to end the Vietnam War. Advocates praised him for his political theories while critics castigated him for his tactics and secrecy.

Supporters filled the audience Monday. Sueellen Arter, who summers in Ohio and winters in San Diego, said Kissinger’s appearance and age convinced her to finally make good on her long-held plan to visit the Reagan Library with her husband.

“This is our last chance,” she said of hearing Kissinger.

At 99, he still travels often and still opines on the state of the world, sometimes controversially. In May, he argued Ukraine should cede territory to make peace with Russia in a stance that drew rebukes from Ukrainian leaders. He spoke only briefly of the war Monday, calling Russia’s invasion “brutal" with no signs of abating.

His latest book, “Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy,” was published last year. In 2021, he co-wrote “The Age of AI” about artificial intelligence.

“He’s always thinking of his next thing,” David Kissinger said Monday. “He’s already planning his next book.”

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Reagan's birthday celebration is an annual event put together by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation in conjunction with U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Kissinger was appointed as Nixon’s liaison to Reagan when the future president was governor of California. Later, during the Reagan administration, Kissinger chaired the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America and was also on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

He told of how Reagan used a story in People magazine about a 700-pound man on a diet in his talks with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, simultaneously confusing and engaging the Soviets. He explained how Reagan employed humor and charm as tools.

“President Reagan was an inveterate jester,” he said. “It was his way of making it clear he wasn’t taking himself too seriously.”

He dubbed Reagan a "truth teller," praising his ability to convey messages. But he also said Reagan tried to reject his oft-used nickname of the "Great Communicator," contending the power of the words came not from him but from the essence of the country he was elected to lead.

At the end of his speech, Kissinger focused on the current affairs of the world. He cited the war in Ukraine, China’s ambitions and unrest in the Middle East.

“At this point what we most need is another Ronald Reagan,” he said.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.

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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Henry Kissinger focuses on Ronald Reagan, peace in Simi Valley speech