According to Herring, “Nixon and Kissinger deserve full credit for their important achievements

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1. Secret Negotiations and Pre-emptive Diplomacy: Kissinger made secret trips to Beijing in 1971, laying the groundwork for Nixon's visit. This clandestine approach allowed for sensitive discussions without immediate public or international pressure, demonstrating a willingness to break from decades of diplomatic isolation.
2. "One China" Policy with Strategic Ambiguity: The U.S. acknowledged the "one China" principle, meaning there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it, without explicitly endorsing Beijing's claim over Taiwan. This strategic ambiguity allowed for engagement with Beijing while not entirely abandoning Taiwan, though it did shift U.S. recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
3. Emphasis on Mutual Interests over Ideology: Despite vast ideological differences, Nixon and Mao Zedong focused on shared strategic interests, primarily concerning the Soviet threat. This pragmatic approach allowed for dialogue and cooperation that transcended Cold War dogma.
4. Cultural Diplomacy and Public Spectacle: Nixon's visit in 1972 was a carefully choreographed event, broadcast globally, symbolizing a dramatic shift in international relations. The cultural exchanges (like ping-pong diplomacy) softened the image of both nations and prepared public opinion for the rapprochement.

Success of U.S. Diplomacy to China:

The actions taken by the U.S. were highly successful in achieving their immediate strategic objectives.

• Weakening the Soviet Union: The Sino-Soviet split deepened, forcing the USSR to divert resources to its eastern border and complicating its geopolitical calculations. This arguably contributed to the eventual winding down of the Cold War.
• Global Recognition and New Diplomatic Era: The opening initiated China's re-entry onto the world stage after decades of isolation, fundamentally altering the global balance of power. It demonstrated a new era of détente and pragmatic diplomacy over rigid ideological confrontation.
• Economic Opportunities: While nascent at the time, the opening laid the groundwork for future extensive economic engagement, which would transform China into a global economic powerhouse.

U.S. Diplomacy to the Middle East

Following the 1973 October War (Yom Kippur War), Kissinger initiated a Middle East negotiating process that brought some progress, often referred to as "shuttle diplomacy." Key elements included:

1. Crisis Management and De-escalation: The immediate goal was to prevent the Arab-Israeli conflict from escalating into a superpower confrontation, as both the U.S. and the Soviet Union supplied their respective allies. Kissinger worked to de-escalate tensions and secure ceasefires.
2. Bilateral "Step-by-Step" Diplomacy: Instead of pursuing a comprehensive peace settlement, Kissinger focused on bilateral agreements between Israel and individual Arab states, particularly Egypt and Syria. This involved intense, direct negotiations, with Kissinger literally shuttling between capitals.
3. Building Trust and Leveraging Aid: Kissinger aimed to build trust between the warring parties and position the U.S. as an indispensable mediator. Substantial U.S. economic and military aid to both Israel and Egypt became a critical tool to incentivize concessions and maintain influence.

Sample Answer

According to George Herring, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger's diplomatic achievements, particularly the opening of China and the initiation of a Middle East negotiating process, were significant. Their actions reshaped global power dynamics and laid groundwork for future foreign policy. This essay will discuss the key elements of U.S. diplomacy toward China and the Middle East under Nixon, evaluate their success, analyze their lasting impact, and assess whether current U.S. foreign policy mirrors Nixon's approach in these regions.

U.S. Diplomacy to China

The opening of China was perhaps Nixon's most audacious and impactful diplomatic feat. The key elements of this approach were:

1. Strategic Rationale: Exploiting Sino-Soviet Split: The primary motivation was to gain leverage over the Soviet Union. By improving relations with Beijing, Nixon aimed to create a triangular diplomacy, forcing Moscow to be more accommodating to the U.S. to avoid being isolated by both its Western and Eastern rivals. This move was a masterclass in realpolitik.