Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski in the Oval Office - 1-21-1977

National Security Council, 1977-81:
Staff, Organization, and Meetings

Zbigniew Brzezinski served as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. A suggested resource for learning more about how the NSC functioned during the Carter administration is Brzezinski's Power and Principle: Memoirs of the National Security Adviser, 1977-1981.

To learn about NSC meetings (i.e., how many, types, dates, topics) we recommend that you consult the finding aid for the National Security Council Institutional Files (1977-1981.)

View more below to learn about the NSC staff and organization during the Carter administration.

Presidential Directive number 63, Subject "Program Follow-through on PDs", dated 01-10-1981

Presidential Directives (PDs)

Presidential Directives are authorized or signed by the President and issued by the National Security Council. The name of these documents would change from administration to administration.

Presidential Review Memorandum no. 11, Subject: Intelligence Structure and Mission

Presidential Review Memoranda (PRMs)

PRMs identified topics/challenges to be researched and analyzed by the NSC. Responsibility was assigned to a NSC committee, either the Policy Review Committee or Special Coordination Committee.