Best of the Spectator Americano: was Zbigniew Brzezinski a Cold War prophet?
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May 19, 2025 
Edward Luce, Chief US columnist for the Financial Times and author of 'Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Cold War Prophet,' discusses the often-overlooked impact of Zbigniew Brzezinski on U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. He delves into Brzezinski’s Polish heritage, his rivalry with Henry Kissinger, and his role as National Security Advisor under Carter. The conversation also highlights Brzezinski's strategies against the Soviet Union and how his legacy continues to shape American diplomacy today.
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Brzezinski's Underrated Influence
- Zbigniew Brzezinski had greater impact on Cold War policy than Henry Kissinger but lacked Kissinger’s celebrity. - His diaries provided unique firsthand insights into geopolitical strategy and history.
Cold War Scholar-Politicians
- Both Brzezinski and Kissinger were scholar-politicians shaped by the Cold War academic environment. - Their immigrant backgrounds and knowledge of Europe deeply informed their Cold War strategies.
Polish Roots Shaped Identity
- Brzezinski's Polish heritage profoundly shaped his worldview and anti-Soviet stance. - His visit to communist Poland in 1957 affirmed his American identity due to the regime's lifelessness.
