McFarlane, Robert (1937– )

US national security adviser to Ronald Reagan 1983–87. He became well known as a champion of the MX nuclear missile programme. In 1984, he initiated the review of US policy towards Iran that led directly to an arms deal with Iran and he also supervised early National Security Council efforts to support the Contras in Nicaragua. Shortly after the Irangate (Iran–Contra) scandal was revealed in early 1987, McFarlane took a drugs overdose in an unsuccessful attempt on his own life. He pleaded guilty to four misdemeanours and was sentenced to two years' probation, 200 hours of community service, and fined $20,000 for his role in the scandal.