Zbig: The Life and Legacy of Zbigniew Brzezinski

In this episode, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe moderates a conversation with Ambassador Mark Brzezinski, son of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, to discuss Edward Luce’s new biography Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Great Power Prophet. Together, they reflect on Brzezinski’s extraordinary journey from Polish immigrant to one of America’s most influential strategic thinkers, his pivotal role as National Security Advisor under President Jimmy Carter, and his prescient vision for the peaceful end of the Soviet Union. The discussion explores his complex legacy, his approach to diplomacy, and the enduring relevance of his ideas for today’s foreign policy challenges. About the Speakers Ambassador Mark Brzezinski is a seasoned diplomat who most recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to Poland from 2022 to 2025, following his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden from 2011 to 2015. He is the son of the late Zbigniew “Zbig” Brzezinski, who served as National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter. Ambassador Brzezinski has held roles in the White House National Security Council and has worked extensively on foreign policy and international law. He earned degrees from Dartmouth College, the University of Virginia School of Law, and St Antony’s College, Oxford. Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001, where he advanced Romania’s integration into NATO and contributed to stability in the Balkans. He currently serves in the Maryland State Senate representing District 21 and is the Chair and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group, a strategic investment firm.