COMMENT | About Henry Kissinger, who marks his birth centenary today May 27), it is helpful to bear in mind what the renowned American journalist Walter Lippmann said about French leader Charles de Gaulle.

Lippmann, a columnist whose opinions were sought by leaders of the big powers, said about De Gaulle that he may not be able to see well what is across the room from him but was good at seeing what is coming up from across the street and, even, what was round the corner...