Robert C. McFarlane
Quick Summary
Robert C. McFarlane served as the U.S. National Security Adviser from October 1983 to December 1985. In this role, he was involved in a secret initiative to sell missiles to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages in Lebanon. This action contradicted the administration's stated policy against negotiating with terrorist-supporting countries.123
The initiative, initially suggested by McFarlane, later became part of the Iran-Contra Affair when it was revealed that funds from the arms sales were diverted to support the Contras in Nicaragua. This diversion violated a congressional act prohibiting U.S. military aid to the Contras. McFarlane's successor at the National Security Council, John Poindexter, along with Oliver North, were involved in this diversion.3
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Iran-Contra AffairArms for hostages and the Enterprise…the head of the NSC, Robert C. McFarlane, undertook the sale of antitank and antiaircraft missiles to Iran in the mistaken belief that such a sale would secure the release of the American hostages. This and several subsequent weapons sales to Iran in 1986 directly contradicted the U.S. government’s publicly…
Read More…the head of the NSC, Robert C. McFarlane, undertook the sale of antitank and antiaircraft missiles to Iran in the mistaken belief that such a sale would secure the release of the American hostages. This and several subsequent weapons sales to Iran in 1986 directly contradicted the U.S. government’s publicly…
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Ronald ReaganThe Iran-Contra Affair of Ronald Reagan…the National Security Council (NSC), Robert (“Bud”) McFarlane, Reagan authorized a secret initiative to sell antitank and antiaircraft missiles to Iran in exchange for that country’s help in securing the release of Americans held hostage by terrorist groups in Lebanon. The initiative directly contradicted the administration’s publicly stated policy of…
Read More…the National Security Council (NSC), Robert (“Bud”) McFarlane, Reagan authorized a secret initiative to sell antitank and antiaircraft missiles to Iran in exchange for that country’s help in securing the release of Americans held hostage by terrorist groups in Lebanon. The initiative directly contradicted the administration’s publicly stated policy of…
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