Thread by @mideastXmidwest

I am here outside the New York Public Library, which is holding a 100th birthday party for Henry Kissinger tonight.

The guest list is secret, but I've confirmed that Secretary of State Tony Blinken will attend.

I'll be here on the red carpet, documenting who else shows up.

It's curious, perhaps even scandalous, that this event is private -- and closed to the press.

We don't know who is hosting it.

The library passed me on to an event planner who wouldn't comment; neither would Kissinger's team. State Dept didn't reply.

So I'm here to find out...

Just had a chat with Ambassador Dick Viets, who worked across the Mideast. Since he was a foreign service officer, he has known Dr. Kissinger.

The ambassador says "Henry's New York friends" will attend. He suggested the host is Wall Street titan Henry Kravis. Need to confirm.

Prof. Graham Allison studied at Harvard with Dr. Kissinger well over a half-century ago.

"I was introduced at a recent event as his oldest -- slowest -- continuously learning student."

He tells me that his old prof is the most significant statesman of the 20th century.

Larry Summers is here. He did not want to chat!!

Kissinger's legacy?

"Everything, everywhere all at once," says former Rep. Jane Harman, who attends with her longtime partner Bob Dickey.

Robert Kraft, ceo of the Patriots, tells me Kissinger epitomizes American values, having fled the Nazis.

"He shows all the values of America," he tells me.

Hi, Jim Baker.

Hi CIA director Bill Burns.

Hi Mayor Bloomberg, too.

Fellow traveler Bill is recognizing a whole lot more big guns than I am.

This "celebration" of Dr. Kissinger is closed to the press. Like last month's party for him at the Economic Club of New York, it seems I'm the only reporter here.

Celebrating Kissinger?

Who historians say is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths in Southeast Asia and prolonging the Vietnam war, for supporting military campaigns in Pakistan, Indonesia, Argentina, Chile...

You do not got to hand it to him. vox.com/world-politics…

Samantha Power and Cass Sunstein are here!

Not sure if Tony Blinken is already here or went through the back entrance of the library.

What we do know: Blinken has admired Kissinger since the 80s.

Here's a revealing tidbit from a Politico profile about his college years:

Kissinger has been feted much this spring in honor of his 100th birthday.

Some of the best coverage has come from @IChotiner who asks plainly, what is there to celebrate?

https://twitter.com/ichotiner/status/1664722254939189249

Also spotted: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York.

A special hello to Eric Schmidt, the billionaire former CEO of Google, who has co-written a book with Dr. Kissinger.

He wasn't in the mood for an interview with me from way down the red-carpeted stairs.

We only know about this star-studded private party at the New York Public Library for Dr. Kissinger because it was on Tony Blinken's schedule.

Transparency rules!!!

While we wait for Tony Blinken, read this essential piece by @nickturse:

https://twitter.com/nickturse/status/1664706899432951809

What is there to celebrate about Henry Kissinger?

That's what I just asked Secretary of State Tony Blinken outside of his predecessor's 100th birthday at the New York Public Library.

No comment.

So who came out to celebrate Henry Kissinger's 100th?

Billionaires, Biden's people, and many a retired diplomat.

If you have insights into what was said inside the room, I'd love to hear from you.

And for more on Kissinger, please read my latest: vox.com/world-politics…

Planner David Monn orchestrated last night's bash for Kissinger—and his 90th a decade ago.

I asked one of his colleagues how the 100th birthday went, whether photos or speeches would be made available.

"You need to respect the privacy of all those participants," they told me.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken wouldn't discuss his attendance last night at Kissinger's 100th.

Reporter @John_Hudson just followed up in the State Dept briefing room.

"What does Sec. Blinken like about Henry Kissinger?"

Watch the spokesperson's reply:
youtube.com/live/Y0KrQRp2p…

A spokesperson for the New York Public Library tells @HellGateNY, "anyone can request to rent space at the Library" and "Rentals do not constitute an endorsement of a group, a point of view or an individual."
hellgatenyc.com/henry-kissinge…