Kissinger’s Leadership presented in Albanian: Rama and D’Alema highlight lessons for today’s politics

The book Leadership by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was presented in Albanian on September 9 at the Center for Openness and Dialogue at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tirana, in a special edition introduced with a foreword written by Prime Minister Edi Rama. The event brought together diplomats, publishers, translators, book enthusiasts, and former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema. The book features remarkable narratives of six world leaders.

Prime Minister Rama praised the book as “an extraordinary work by an extraordinary author,” noting that its appeal extends beyond politics: “This is a book that, even for someone who cares nothing about politics or political history, is engaging from beginning to end.”

Rama emphasized the timeless relevance of Kissinger’s insights on leadership and balance in global affairs: “Kissinger had a unique ability to grasp when and how to intervene to restore equilibrium. For many, his realism seemed amoral, but his driving force was always balance. In the end, the book leaves us with hope that, in moments of deep crisis, unexpected leaders can still emerge to reshape the course of history.”

D’Alema described the book as a kind of testament of Henry Kissinger, where, through the profiles of six 20th-century leaders, it reveals the deeper meaning of leadership and the distinctive qualities of each, adding that he had the opportunity to meet Kissinger three times.

Massimo D’Alema underlined Kissinger’s extraordinary capacity to engage in dialogue across differences and the lessons this holds for today’s leadership crisis: “Kissinger was driven by profound political realism and an ability to converse with those very different from him. This must serve as a lesson for today’s leaders.”

D’Alema also pointed to Kissinger’s warnings about the risks of unchecked power combined with rapid technological revolution: Kissinger denounces the danger that such a mix could lead humanity toward a conflict that nobody really wants. These final pages, he said, are a powerful and timely message.

Rama highlighted the strength of the Albanian translation, noting that it preserved the sharpness of Kissinger’s thought. He recalled Kissinger’s reflections on the challenges of finding true long-term leadership in times of uncertainty and his references to historical turning points such as Anwar Sadat’s peace initiative and President Nixon’s visit to China.

Context: Henry Kissinger (1923-2023) remains one of the most influential figures in 20th-century diplomacy, serving as U.S. National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, he authored numerous works on foreign policy and international relations, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape debates on global leadership.