ABSTRACT

The prime responsibility of the Policy Review Committee, chaired by Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, was to deliberate and make recommendations on diplomatic, defense, and international economic issues. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski chaired the Special Coordinating Committee that was responsible for issues that were ‘cross-cutting’ and required ‘coordination in the development of options and the implementation of Presidential decisions,’ specifically arms control, intelligence policy issues, and crisis management. From an arms control perspective, the prospects for continued limitations or even reductions by the Soviet Union and United States seemed promising. Jimmy Carter was presented with a situation where the public and the Soviets expected renewed efforts on arms control, but at the same time domestic opposition was already well in place and prepared to challenge the president. Carter initiated efforts on arms control early in his administration. From the beginning Carter played a hands-on role in shaping and defining the discussion on the kind of proposal to prevent the Soviets.