A Life of Coping With the Contradictions

The opening sentence of the official Press Statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) succinctly encapsulates the protocol, priorities and position of the global hegemon: "Jimmy Carter was a United States President, a U.S. Navy veteran, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and a humanitarian who dedicated his life to promoting peace, democracy, and human rights."

For his legions of admirers, Carter will perhaps be better remembered for his post-presidential contributions rather than the predicaments of his presidency.

The legacy of Carter, the 39th President of the US, who served for a single term between 1977 and 1981, is somewhat complicated. When he took over from President Gerald Ford, all was not well with the US.

The 1970s had begun with the complete disgrace of US foreign policy in Asia, such as its support for the genocidal regime in Pakistan, indiscriminate bombardment of Laos, carpet bombing of Cambodia and multiple massacres of civilians in Vietnam. The war in Indochina had ended, but Carter was left with the task of clearing its geopolitical debris.