Blowback S6 Episode 6 - "Total Onslaught"
Jan 19, 2026
Explore the intense Cold War dynamics as Carter shifts U.S. policy towards Africa amid rising tensions. Delve into Savimbi's operations in Angola and his attempts to frame UNITA as an anti-Soviet ally, alongside South Africa's aggressive strategies to assert regional control. Unpack the complex interplay of international relations, domestic political fallout, and the human cost of conflict in Angola. Discover how these events shaped the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy leading into the 1980 election.
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Carter's Africa Policy Fractures
- Jimmy Carter's Africa policy began as peacemaking but fractured under Cold War pressures and regional violence.
- Brzezinski's hawkish stance increasingly dominated, shifting policy toward confronting Soviet/Cuban influence in Africa.
Linkage And Covert Support
- Brzezinski pushed a strategy of "linkage," tying Soviet concessions elsewhere to moves in southern Africa.
- He also quietly funneled aid through allies to anti-communist guerrillas like Savimbi's UNITA.
Domestic Politics Shift Toward Hawks
- Domestic U.S. politics and midterm losses reduced appetite for détente and empowered hawks.
- Public sentiment and electoral shifts made Carter politically vulnerable on foreign policy.