Although Henry Kissinger does not use this specific term in the book, he alludes to it in his chapter on Lee Kuan Yew (314), who helped popularize the phrase. It refers to the idea that the cultural traditions of East and Southeast Asia do not fall within Western political categories like democracy and authoritarianism. For example, Lee ruled over a one-party state in Singapore, believing that it was more important—and more consistent with national traditions—to apply a firm yet gentle hand rather than allow multiparty competition, which would in turn inflame ethnic tensions. This idea has roots in a Confucian tradition whereby the ruler is gauged by their effectiveness and enjoys a more organic relationship with their populace than the elaborate electoral infrastructure of the West. “Asian values” is a very contested concept—there is ample debate over its validity within the community of Asian scholars—but Lee used the term as a selling point for his nondemocratic style of rule.

From the French for “relaxing,” détente refers to the easing of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It came into prominence during the presidency of Richard Nixon, who championed a more cooperative attitude with the Soviets in order to achieve arms control, facilitate the American exit from Vietnam, and enhance joint efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.