Bartholomew Sparrow visited the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan to lecture on his new book "The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call for National Security". The lecture was sponsored in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.
Bartholomew Sparrow is a Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin, teaching American Political Development. He attended Dartmouth College, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Chicago where he received his PhD. Sparrow is also the author of four books. It was for his work on this book that Sparrow previously received a Gerald R. Ford Research Travel Grant in 2008. He has received fellowships from the Woodrow Wilson International Scholars, the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University, and the Harry S. Truman Library Institute.
Geir Gundersen, Supervisory Archivst at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, introduced Bartholomew Sparrow. Gundersen added that Sparrow's book "The Strategist: Brent Scowcroft and the Call for National Security" is a balanced and long over-due biography on one of our country's most unassuming, unsung and effective National Security Advisors and strategist. The book reflects on Scowcroft's role with American National Security over the course of 30 years which began during the Cold War. Brent Scowcroft served as National Security Advisor for Presidents Gerald R. Ford and George H.W. Bush, and as a National Security aide or consultant for other Presidents and Administrations. Scowcroft would participate in such historic events as the ending of American involvement in the Vietnam War, breakthroughs with China, Persian Gulf War and the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Sparrow began his remarks thanking the Library staff for their assistance and support during his research. Sparrow noted that while many view Washington, D.C. and politicians as untrustworthy, Scowcroft has been an effective player in National Security and respected by many. Beginning as a Deputy under National Security Advisor Henry Kissenger for President Richard Nixon, Scowcroft would soon become National Security Advisor and lifelong friend to President Gerald R. Ford.
Throughout his lecture, Sparrow touched on a number of historic events and policy decisions that Scowcroft played a major role in. For example, in the final days of the Vietnam War, Scowcroft joined with President Ford to direct the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon but also in delaying it, against the recommendations of others. Both felt the delay would provide additional time and resources for as many South Vietnamese to evacuate as well. During the final years of the Cold War, President George H.W. Bush, Secretary of State James Baker and Scowcroft succeeded in overseeing the democratic reforms throughout Eastern Europe and the re-unification of Germany which highlighted Scowcroft's ability to understand and interweave military issues, economic issues and diplomacy.
Scowcroft has also voiced his opinion while not in an official U.S. Government capacity on National Security matters, more so as a senior statesman. Following 9-11, in a 2002 Wall Street Journal Op-Ed, his public opinion of a possible American invasion and occupation of Iraq was that any such military involvement would likely be expensive, and would have very serious and bloody consequences. He felt Saddam Hussein was a power hungry survivor who had little cause to join al Queda and that he could be deterred like other aggressors. He also warned that should the US attack Iraq, the war would increase the ranks of terrorists, side-track US policy from the more important Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and possibly destabilize Arab regimes in the region. In 2006, he did publicly support the US military surge in Iraq.
In looking back on reasons that made Scowcroft so effective, Sparrow noted Scowcroft being from a well-established family, his poise, his sense of humor, his expertise, his initiative, being a team player and willingness to go the extra mile.
Upon graduation from West Point, Scowcroft joined the US Army Air Corps and two years later Scowcroft crashed and almost died. He survived the incident and spent almost two years in military hospitals with a broken back and unable to fly again. With his flying career over, Scowcroft decided to become an expert on national security, specifically Eastern Europe, Russian, world history, nuclear weapons and deterrence theory, conventional warfare, government and law.
Watch the Program
When
October 8, 2015
Program Supporters
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
