national security adviser

In the USA, the head of the National Security Council, which coordinates the defence and foreign policy of the USA. The national security adviser also acts as assistant to the US president on aspects of foreign affairs. Samuel (Sandy) Berger was appointed to the post in December 1996.

The office was originally a clerical post but took on greater stature when held by McGeorge Bundy 1961-66, Walt Rostow 1966-69, and Henry Kissinger 1969-75, who exceeded Secretary of State William Rogers in influence with President Richard Nixon. Zbigniew Brzezinski, appointed in 1977, struggled with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance for influence on President Jimmy Carter. President Ronald Reagan's adviser, Admiral John Poindexter, who succeeded Robert McFarlane (1937- ) in 1985, was forced to resign in 1986 because of his part in the illicit sale of arms to Iran (see Irangate). His successors have included Frank Carlucci (1930- ), Lt-Gen Colin Powell (1937- ), Gen Brent Scowcroft (1925- ), and Anthony Lake (1939- ).