Carter’s national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, 89

Zbigniew Brzezinski, who helped break down economic barriers between the Soviet Union, China and the West as President Jimmy Carter’s national security adviser, has died aged 89.

His death was announced by his daughter Mika Brzezinski, a host on American channel MSNBC.

She called him “the most inspiring, loving and devoted father any girl could ever have”.

In a statement, Mr Carter called Mr Brzezinski “a superb public servant” as well as “brilliant, dedicated and loyal”.

Mr Carter had been impressed with the views of the foreign policy expert well before he won the presidency in 1977. That he immediately liked the Polish-born academic advising his campaign was a plus.

“He was inquisitive, innovative and a natural choice as my national security adviser when I became president,” Mr Carter said.

“He helped me set vital foreign policy goals, was a source of stimulation for the departments of defence and state, and everyone valued his opinion. He played an essential role in all the key foreign policy events of my administration.”

Earnest and ambitious, Mr Brzezinski helped Mr Carter bridge wide gaps between the rigid Egyptian and Israeli leaders, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin, leading to the Camp David accords in September 1978.

Three months later, US-China relations were normalised, a top priority for Mr Brzezinski.

He also had a hand in two other controversial agreements: the SALT II nuclear weapons treaty with the Soviet Union and the Panama Canal treaties ceding US control of the waterway.

“He was brilliant, dedicated and loyal,” said Mr Carter, who awarded Mr Brzezinski the Presidential Medal of Freedom days before leaving office in 1981.

Mr Brzezinski was born in Warsaw, educated in Canada and the US, and was an acknowledged expert in Communism.

As well as his daughter, he is survived by his wife Emilie and sons Ian and Mark.

Zbigniew Brzezinski.