Charlie Rose Talks to Henry Kissinger

You’ve just written a book called World Order. Is there an absence of order in the world right now?
This is one of the most chaotic periods that I know about. Every part of the world is redefining itself. Some internally—like China. Some externally: The European system hasn’t dominated the world; it’s been abandoned in Europe. And the U.S. is moving into a new period in which the dominance enjoyed in the immediate postwar period economically is no longer there. On the other hand, we are still the central element in creating a new order. Without our participation, it’s difficult to see how a new system can emerge in most parts of the world.

Obama has a lot on his plate now with the rise of Islamic State. What’s the right response?
When the throats of Americans are cut on international television and they’re then decapitated, and these are innocent bystanders who were picked as victims, the fundamental values of the United States are insulted. And that must have some retaliation. For that we do not need allies. That we can do on our own.