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Brent Scowcroft, a Force on Foreign Policy for 40 Years, Dies at 95 Brent Scowcroft, a Force on Foreign Policy for 40 Years, Dies at 95
(32 minutes later)
Brent Scowcroft, a pre-eminent foreign policy expert who helped shape America’s international and strategic decisions for decades as the national security adviser to Presidents Gerald R. Ford and George Bush and as a counselor to seven administrations, died on Thursday at his home in Falls Church, Va. He was 95.Brent Scowcroft, a pre-eminent foreign policy expert who helped shape America’s international and strategic decisions for decades as the national security adviser to Presidents Gerald R. Ford and George Bush and as a counselor to seven administrations, died on Thursday at his home in Falls Church, Va. He was 95.
His death was announced by a family spokesman, Jim McGrath, who did not cite a specific cause.His death was announced by a family spokesman, Jim McGrath, who did not cite a specific cause.
Mr. Scowcroft wanted to be a fighter pilot after World War II, but a plane crash changed the young man’s life and, as it turned out, gave the nation one of its most authoritative military intellectuals — a diplomat, linguist, tactician on nuclear arms and missile systems and a scholar of global politics who became an influential voice in Washington for more than 40 years.Mr. Scowcroft wanted to be a fighter pilot after World War II, but a plane crash changed the young man’s life and, as it turned out, gave the nation one of its most authoritative military intellectuals — a diplomat, linguist, tactician on nuclear arms and missile systems and a scholar of global politics who became an influential voice in Washington for more than 40 years.
He accompanied President Richard M. Nixon to China in 1972, oversaw the Ford administration’s evacuation of Americans from Saigon in 1975, laid groundwork for President Jimmy Carter’s Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the Soviet Union in 1979, evaluated the MX missile systems for President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s and directed President Bush’s strategy in the Persian Gulf war in 1991.He accompanied President Richard M. Nixon to China in 1972, oversaw the Ford administration’s evacuation of Americans from Saigon in 1975, laid groundwork for President Jimmy Carter’s Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the Soviet Union in 1979, evaluated the MX missile systems for President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s and directed President Bush’s strategy in the Persian Gulf war in 1991.
Mr. Scowcroft was a principal architect of American policy toward post-communist Russia, a leading Republican voice opposing the American-led invasion of Iraq after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a voice in President Barack Obama’s selection of a national security team after the 2008 elections.Mr. Scowcroft was a principal architect of American policy toward post-communist Russia, a leading Republican voice opposing the American-led invasion of Iraq after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a voice in President Barack Obama’s selection of a national security team after the 2008 elections.
He also wrote books, taught at universities and counted among his many protégés Condoleezza Rice and Robert M. Gates, both national security experts who became secretaries of state and defense for President George W. Bush.He also wrote books, taught at universities and counted among his many protégés Condoleezza Rice and Robert M. Gates, both national security experts who became secretaries of state and defense for President George W. Bush.
Most closely associated with moderate Republicans like Ford, Howard H. Baker Jr. and Colin L. Powell, Mr. Scowcroft (pronounced SKO-croft) was a self-effacing former Air Force general who did not smoke or drink. He preferred working quietly in small groups.Most closely associated with moderate Republicans like Ford, Howard H. Baker Jr. and Colin L. Powell, Mr. Scowcroft (pronounced SKO-croft) was a self-effacing former Air Force general who did not smoke or drink. He preferred working quietly in small groups.
In making foreign policy, a national security adviser coordinates the work of the National Security Council — the president, vice president, secretaries of state and defense and others, supported by a staff that writes papers and proposals — and makes sure the president hears all sides of the debate before making decisions. In making foreign policy, a national security adviser coordinates the work of the National Security Council — the president, vice president, secretaries of state and defense and others, supported by a staff that writes papers and proposals — and makes sure that the president hears all sides of the debate before making decisions.
Mr. Scowcroft called himself a traditionalist, who believed that the nation should work with allies and international organizations, as opposed to a “transformationalist,” like the second President Bush, who argued that America should fight terrorism by spreading democracy in the world — by force if necessary — and should be free to act swiftly without relying on overly cautious allies or a cumbersome United Nations. Mr. Scowcroft called himself a traditionalist, who believed that the nation should work with allies and international organizations, as opposed to a “transformationalist,” like the second President Bush, who argued that America should fight terrorism by spreading democracy in the world — by force if necessary — and be free to act swiftly without relying on overly cautious allies or a cumbersome United Nations.
After leaving government in 1993, Mr. Scowcroft headed the Washington-based Scowcroft Group, a consulting firm for international businesses, and was chairman of an advisory board that made policy recommendations to President George W. Bush.After leaving government in 1993, Mr. Scowcroft headed the Washington-based Scowcroft Group, a consulting firm for international businesses, and was chairman of an advisory board that made policy recommendations to President George W. Bush.
Nevertheless, he was among the few prominent Republicans who challenged President Bush in 2002 as the administration made its case to go to war in Iraq.Nevertheless, he was among the few prominent Republicans who challenged President Bush in 2002 as the administration made its case to go to war in Iraq.
In an op-ed article in The Wall Street Journal titled “Don’t Attack Saddam,” Mr. Scowcroft said there was “scant evidence” of ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda or the Sept. 11 attacks, as Mr. Bush claimed. And he argued that an invasion to oust the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, would “seriously jeopardize, if not destroy, the global counterterrorist campaign we have undertaken.”In an op-ed article in The Wall Street Journal titled “Don’t Attack Saddam,” Mr. Scowcroft said there was “scant evidence” of ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda or the Sept. 11 attacks, as Mr. Bush claimed. And he argued that an invasion to oust the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, would “seriously jeopardize, if not destroy, the global counterterrorist campaign we have undertaken.”
The Iraq war, he told the Op-Ed columnist Roger Cohen of The New York Times in 2007, had also undermined faith in America.The Iraq war, he told the Op-Ed columnist Roger Cohen of The New York Times in 2007, had also undermined faith in America.
“Historically, the world has always given us the benefit of the doubt because it believed we meant well,” Mr. Scowcroft said. “It no longer does. It is easy to lose trust, but it takes a lot of work to gain it. Can the sense of confidence in us be restored? Sure. But not easily.”“Historically, the world has always given us the benefit of the doubt because it believed we meant well,” Mr. Scowcroft said. “It no longer does. It is easy to lose trust, but it takes a lot of work to gain it. Can the sense of confidence in us be restored? Sure. But not easily.”
President Obama liked Mr. Scowcroft and his restrained foreign policy, Jeffrey Goldberg noted in The Atlantic in 2016. “Obama, unlike liberal interventionists, is an admirer of the foreign-policy realism of President George H.W. Bush and, in particular, of Bush’s national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft,” he wrote. “As Obama was writing his campaign manifesto, ‘The Audacity of Hope,’ in 2006, Susan Rice, then an informal adviser, felt it necessary to remind him to include at least one line of praise for the foreign policy of President Bill Clinton, to partially balance the praise he showered on Bush and Scowcroft.”President Obama liked Mr. Scowcroft and his restrained foreign policy, Jeffrey Goldberg noted in The Atlantic in 2016. “Obama, unlike liberal interventionists, is an admirer of the foreign-policy realism of President George H.W. Bush and, in particular, of Bush’s national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft,” he wrote. “As Obama was writing his campaign manifesto, ‘The Audacity of Hope,’ in 2006, Susan Rice, then an informal adviser, felt it necessary to remind him to include at least one line of praise for the foreign policy of President Bill Clinton, to partially balance the praise he showered on Bush and Scowcroft.”
Long after his retirement, Mr. Scowcroft remained a pillar of the Republican national security establishment. In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, he joined more than 120 other Republican foreign policy veterans who crossed party lines and endorsed Hillary Clinton. Mr. Scowcroft said she possessed “truly unique experience and perspective” to “lead our country at this critical time.” He did not mention Donald J. Trump in his endorsement.Long after his retirement, Mr. Scowcroft remained a pillar of the Republican national security establishment. In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, he joined more than 120 other Republican foreign policy veterans who crossed party lines and endorsed Hillary Clinton. Mr. Scowcroft said she possessed “truly unique experience and perspective” to “lead our country at this critical time.” He did not mention Donald J. Trump in his endorsement.
But days after Mr. Trump’s election, the frail and ailing Mr. Scowcroft made an emotional appeal at an off-the-record Washington luncheon in his honor, calling on fellow Republicans, and Democrats, to put country above political party and accept posts in the incoming Trump administration, if asked to do so. But days after Mr. Trump’s election, the frail and ailing Mr. Scowcroft made an emotional appeal at an off-the-record Washington luncheon in his honor, calling on fellow Republicans, and Democrats, to put country above political party and accept posts in the incoming Trump administration if asked to do so — even though, by some accounts, he remained concerned that Mr. Trump was ill-prepared and unsuited for the presidency.
“He needs you, your country needs you,” one attendee said, characterizing Mr. Scowcroft’s message. Other accounts said that he remained concerned that Mr. Trump was ill-prepared and unsuited for the presidency, but said that his appeal for public service was a classic reminder of a less partisan age, when presidents often reached out to experienced talent, regardless of party loyalties. “He needs you, your country needs you,” one attendee said, characterizing Mr. Scowcroft’s message.
His appeal for public service was a classic reminder of a less partisan age, when presidents often reached out to experienced talent, regardless of party loyalties.
Brent Scowcroft was born on March 19, 1925, in Ogden, Utah, the son of James and Lucile (Ballantyne) Scowcroft. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1947, joined the Air Force and envisioned life as a fighter pilot.Brent Scowcroft was born on March 19, 1925, in Ogden, Utah, the son of James and Lucile (Ballantyne) Scowcroft. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1947, joined the Air Force and envisioned life as a fighter pilot.
But on Jan. 6, 1949, his P-51 Mustang developed engine trouble after taking off from Grenier Army Air Field in New Hampshire (now Manchester-Boston Regional Airport), and crash-landed. His injuries were not critical, but he assumed he would never fly again and considered other military career options.But on Jan. 6, 1949, his P-51 Mustang developed engine trouble after taking off from Grenier Army Air Field in New Hampshire (now Manchester-Boston Regional Airport), and crash-landed. His injuries were not critical, but he assumed he would never fly again and considered other military career options.
In 1951, he married the former Marian Horner. She died in 1995. He is survived by their daughter, Karen Scowcroft, and a granddaughter. In 1951, he married Marian Horner. She died in 1995. He is survived by their daughter, Karen Scowcroft, and a granddaughter.
Mr. Scowcroft earned a master’s degree in international relations from Columbia University in 1953. He taught Russian history for four years at West Point, studied Slavic languages at Georgetown University in 1958 and, from 1959 to 1961, used his Serbo-Croatian skills as an assistant air attaché at the American Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. In 1962-63, he taught political science at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Mr. Scowcroft earned a master’s degree in international relations from Columbia University in 1953. He taught Russian history for four years at West Point, studied Slavic languages at Georgetown University in 1958 and, from 1959 to 1961, used his Serbo-Croatian skills as an assistant air attaché at the American Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. He taught political science at the Air Force Academy in Colorado in 1962-63.
He then joined the Air Force planning division in Washington, and in 1967 earned a doctorate in international relations at Columbia. Starting in 1968, he held various Pentagon posts, becoming a special assistant to Gen. John W. Vogt, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1972, by then a general, he became a military aide to President Nixon.He then joined the Air Force planning division in Washington, and in 1967 earned a doctorate in international relations at Columbia. Starting in 1968, he held various Pentagon posts, becoming a special assistant to Gen. John W. Vogt, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1972, by then a general, he became a military aide to President Nixon.
He accompanied Nixon on his historic trip to China to establish diplomatic relations after decades of estrangement. Fluent in Russian, Mr. Scowcroft next went to Moscow to prepare for Nixon’s spring visit, a delicate task because America was bombing North Vietnam, a Soviet ally. Impressed, Henry A. Kissinger, then head of national security, chose him as his deputy in 1973. That fall, Mr. Kissinger became secretary of state, and Mr. Scowcroft ran Security Council meetings in his absence. Mr. Scowcroft accompanied Nixon on his historic trip to China to establish diplomatic relations after decades of estrangement. Fluent in Russian, he next went to Moscow to prepare for Nixon’s spring visit there, a delicate task because America was bombing North Vietnam, a Soviet ally. Impressed, Henry A. Kissinger, then head of national security, chose him as his deputy in 1973. That fall, Mr. Kissinger became secretary of state, and Mr. Scowcroft ran Security Council meetings in his absence.
At the White House, Mr. Scowcroft put in 18-hour days, working from a cramped, cable-strewn cubby near the Oval Office. In 1975, after Nixon had resigned in the Watergate scandal, Mr. Scowcroft briefed the new president, Ford, on national security. Ford chose him to succeed Mr. Kissinger as the national security adviser. To accept, he resigned his commission as a lieutenant general.At the White House, Mr. Scowcroft put in 18-hour days, working from a cramped, cable-strewn cubby near the Oval Office. In 1975, after Nixon had resigned in the Watergate scandal, Mr. Scowcroft briefed the new president, Ford, on national security. Ford chose him to succeed Mr. Kissinger as the national security adviser. To accept, he resigned his commission as a lieutenant general.
As American involvement in the Vietnam War ended in 1975, Mr. Scowcroft planned the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon, and later a military response to the Cambodian seizure of the American merchant ship S.S. Mayagüez. The ship and 39 crewmen were saved, but 41 American servicemen died.As American involvement in the Vietnam War ended in 1975, Mr. Scowcroft planned the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon, and later a military response to the Cambodian seizure of the American merchant ship S.S. Mayagüez. The ship and 39 crewmen were saved, but 41 American servicemen died.
Mr. Scowcroft left the White House in 1977, when Jimmy Carter became president. He later went to work for Mr. Kissinger’s international consulting firm, Kissinger Associates. But he remained a member of the president’s advisory committee on arms control, and helped formulate the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II signed by President Carter and the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1979. The treaty was not ratified by Congress, but was honored until 1986, when the Reagan administration withdrew. Mr. Scowcroft left the White House in 1977, when Jimmy Carter became president. He later went to work for Mr. Kissinger’s international consulting firm, Kissinger Associates. But he remained a member of the President Carter’s advisory committee on arms control and helped formulate the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II signed by Mr. Carter and the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1979. The treaty, though not ratified by Congress, was honored until 1986, when the Reagan administration withdrew from it.
President Reagan named Mr. Scowcroft to head a commission that evaluated options for deployment of the MX missiles, and later to a commission headed by former Senator John G. Tower that investigated the Iran-contra scandal, in which money from arms sales to Iran was diverted without authorization to anti-Communist rebels in Nicaragua. The commission found no evidence that Mr. Reagan knew of skulduggery, but criticized him for failing to monitor subordinates. President Reagan named Mr. Scowcroft to head a commission that evaluated options for deployment of the MX missiles. Later, Reagan appointed him to a commission led by former Senator John G. Tower that investigated the Iran-contra scandal, in which money from arms sales to Iran was diverted without authorization to anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua. The commission found no evidence that Mr. Reagan had known of skulduggery, but it criticized him for failing to monitor subordinates.
While it is rare for officials to return to White House jobs, Mr. Scowcroft was an early and easy choice of President Bush for national security adviser in 1989. Mr. Scowcroft chose Mr. Gates as his deputy and Ms. Rice, a Soviet expert, as a council member.While it is rare for officials to return to White House jobs, Mr. Scowcroft was an early and easy choice of President Bush for national security adviser in 1989. Mr. Scowcroft chose Mr. Gates as his deputy and Ms. Rice, a Soviet expert, as a council member.
Mr. Scowcroft was instrumental in developing policies toward post-communist Russia, leaning away from trying to reshape its political and economic systems. The Soviet collapse ended a threat to the West, but critics said a passive Bush response missed chances to promote democratic institutions. Mr. Scowcroft, however, defended the cautious approach in a world turned upside down after the Cold War. Mr. Scowcroft was instrumental in developing policies toward post-communist Russia that leaned away from trying to reshape its political and economic systems — a response to the Soviet collapse that critics said was too passive, one that missed chances to promote democratic institutions. Mr. Scowcroft, however, defended the administration’s approach as prudently cautious in a world turned upside down after the Cold War.
He made two secret trips to China in 1989: one to underscore America’s shock over China’s crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square that left hundreds dead, and a second to mend relations with Beijing after Mr. Bush canceled contacts between American and Chinese leaders. Mr. Scowcroft made two secret trips to China in 1989: one to underscore America’s shock over China’s crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, which had left hundreds dead, and a second to mend relations with Beijing after Mr. Bush had canceled contacts between American and Chinese leaders.
Disclosure of the trips gave the public a rare glimpse of the diplomatic dance that often plays out behind the scenes — a two-step of rejection and reconciliation more typical of quarrelsome couples.Disclosure of the trips gave the public a rare glimpse of the diplomatic dance that often plays out behind the scenes — a two-step of rejection and reconciliation more typical of quarrelsome couples.
In 1991 Mr. Scowcroft was the guiding hand behind Operation Desert Storm, which Mr. Bush regarded as the triumph of his political life. Mr. Scowcroft generally drew narrow military goals, and in the Persian Gulf war urged Mr. Bush to limit operations to evicting Iraqi troops from Kuwait and not ousting Saddam Hussein, unless the dictator resorted to chemical or biological warfare against the American forces or Israel. Mr. Bush awarded Mr. Scowcroft the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 1991 Mr. Scowcroft was the guiding hand behind what Mr. Bush regarded as the triumph of his political life, Operation Desert Storm, in which the president mobilized an international coalition to oust an invading Saddam Hussein from neighboring Kuwait. Mr. Scowcroft generally drew narrow military goals, and the Persian Gulf war was no exception. He urged Mr. Bush to limit operations to evicting Iraqi troops from Kuwait and not to depose Saddam Hussein, unless the dictator resorted to chemical or biological warfare against coalition forces or Israel.
Mr. Scowcroft, who lived in Bethesda, Md., wrote “A World Transformed,” (1998) with George Bush, on policy issues after the Cold War. His talks with Zbigniew Brzezinski, Mr. Carter’s national security adviser, were published as “America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy” (2008). Mr. Bush awarded Mr. Scowcroft the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Mr. Scowcroft wrote “A World Transformed,” (1998) with George Bush, on policy issues after the Cold War. His talks with Zbigniew Brzezinski, Mr. Carter’s national security adviser, were published as “America and the World: Conversations on the Future of American Foreign Policy” (2008).
A biography by Bartholomew Sparrow, “The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call of National Security,” was published in 2015.A biography by Bartholomew Sparrow, “The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call of National Security,” was published in 2015.