Zbigniew Brzezinski

Zbigniew Brzezinski was the U.S. National Security Adviser during the Carter administration, playing a key role in foreign policy decisions during a period of significant Middle Eastern upheaval.

Iran Policy

Brzezinski dismissed suggestions from Prime Minister Begin that the U.S. should support Mehdi Bazargan's government in Iran against the growing Iraqi threat. Instead, Brzezinski and the Carter administration believed Iran should be allowed to disintegrate until a U.S.-supported leader emerged.¹

VELA Satellite Nuclear Incident

On September 22, 1979, a VELA Satellite recorded two distinctive bright flashes of light over the South Indian Ocean, probable evidence of a nuclear explosion. This event, suspected to be a joint Israeli-South African nuclear test, was reported to Brzezinski and President Jimmy Carter. Gerald G. Oplinger, Brzezinski's aide for global issues, recalled that Brzezinski was present at an urgent meeting in the White House situation room where the CIA and DIA stated that the odds were at least ninety percent that it had been a nuclear explosion. Brzezinski had little to say during this meeting.²