Published on: 2025-03-10

Intelligence Report: Did Kissinger say it’s ‘dangerous to be America’s enemy’ but ‘fatal’ to be its friend – Snopes.com

1. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

The quote attributed to Henry Kissinger, stating it is “dangerous to be America’s enemy but fatal to be its friend,” lacks definitive historical evidence. The attribution is likely incorrect, with origins possibly linked to William Buckley Jr. This misattribution has been propagated through various platforms, influencing perceptions of U.S. foreign policy dynamics. Stakeholders should be cautious of unverified quotes impacting diplomatic relations and policy decisions.

2. Detailed Analysis

The following structured analytic techniques have been applied for this analysis:

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: The U.S. maintains significant global influence, which can be leveraged in diplomatic engagements.

Weaknesses: Misattributions and misinformation can undermine credibility and diplomatic relations.

Opportunities: Correcting misinformation can strengthen alliances and improve international trust.

Threats: Persistent misinformation may lead to strained relations and misinterpretations of U.S. intentions.

Cross-Impact Matrix

The propagation of the misattributed quote can influence perceptions in regions with existing tensions with the U.S., potentially exacerbating diplomatic challenges. Conversely, regions with strong U.S. alliances may dismiss the quote, maintaining stable relations.

Scenario Generation

Best-Case Scenario: Clarification of the quote’s origin leads to improved diplomatic relations and trust.

Worst-Case Scenario: Continued belief in the quote fosters distrust and complicates diplomatic negotiations.

Most Likely Scenario: The quote remains a minor point of contention with limited impact on overall U.S. foreign policy.

3. Implications and Strategic Risks

The misattribution of the quote presents risks to diplomatic credibility and may influence foreign policy narratives. It highlights the importance of verifying information to prevent misinformation from affecting national security, regional stability, and economic interests. Persistent misinformation could lead to misinterpretations of U.S. intentions, impacting strategic alliances and negotiations.

4. Recommendations and Outlook

Recommendations:

• Implement verification protocols for quotes and statements attributed to key figures to prevent misinformation.
• Engage in proactive communication strategies to clarify misattributions and reinforce accurate narratives.
• Enhance diplomatic training to address misinformation and its potential impacts on international relations.

Outlook:

Best-Case: Successful clarification efforts improve diplomatic relations and trust in U.S. communications.

Worst-Case: Misinformation persists, leading to increased diplomatic tensions and misinterpretations.

Most Likely: The quote remains a minor issue, with limited impact on broader U.S. foreign policy.

5. Key Individuals and Entities

The report mentions significant individuals such as Henry Kissinger, William Buckley Jr., Donald Trump, JD Vance, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Richard Nixon, Clark Clifford, Ngo Dinh Diem, and Nguyen Van Thieu. These individuals are relevant to the context of the quote and its potential implications.