Catching Up with Henry Kissinger

So I've been doing some Kissinger reading in the last few weeks, following his appointment to head the inquiry into WTC intelligence gaps.

Harper's published a two-part article (1,2) last year by Christopher Hitchens presenting the case for the prosecution of Henry Kissinger as a war criminal and for crimes against humanity. C-Span later held a panel discussion at the Nat'l Press Club with Hitchens, former members of the National Security Council, and a professor of international law. For those with less time on their hands, he comments more succinctly on Kissinger's appointment to head the 9/11 inquiry (or you could just see the movie).

Those defending the appointment do so not by refuting the claims against Kissinger, but by backing up the appropriateness and results of his actions. William Safire, who has had Kissinger breathing on the other end of his phone line, nonetheless says he's the right man for the job. I guess he's someone you want working with you rather than against you when you're trying to get your war on.