School of War Ep 245: Edward Luce on Zbigniew Brzezinski’s Twentieth Century
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Nov 7, 2025 
Edward Luce, U.S. national editor at the Financial Times and author of 'ZBIG', dives into the life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, a pivotal figure during the Cold War. He explores Brzezinski's profound influence on Carter's foreign policy and contrasts his strategic vision with Kissinger's. Luce shares insights on how WWII shaped Brzezinski's worldview, his role in the Vietnam War, and the significance of human rights in foreign policy. The conversation also touches on Brzezinski's legacy and warnings in a post-Cold War world.
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Diaries Shaped A New Biography
- Brzezinski kept nightly diaries as Carter's national security advisor that read like a first draft of history.
- Edward Luce used full access to those diaries to write a non‑authorized, comprehensive biography.
Carter's Policies Outlived His Popularity
- Carter is often disowned by liberals but Brzezinski's strategic moves in Carter's term seeded later conservative policies.
- Reagan recruited many of Carter's policies, showing Carter's presidency influenced subsequent administrations.
Personal Loss Fueled Geopolitical Mission
- Brzezinski's childhood exile from Poland created a lifelong mission to liberate Soviet‑dominated nations.
- This 'wounded Polishness' drove his specialization in Sovietology and policies to exploit national resentments.
