President Nixon thought South Africa & Rhodesia were a counter balance to Russia & China

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Public Statements
Before becoming president, Nixon was critical of U.S. policy toward Rhodesia. In a 1967 article for Foreign Affairs, he suggested that the West should be more pragmatic in dealing with white-led governments in Africa, including Rhodesia and South Africa, rather than isolating them. This view contrasted with the official U.S. stance, which backed UN sanctions against Rhodesia after Smith’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965.

Presidency (1969–1974)
Once in office, Nixon maintained U.S. support for international sanctions against Rhodesia but showed less enthusiasm for enforcing them strictly. His administration, through the Nixon Doctrine, sought to reduce direct U.S. involvement in conflicts and instead encouraged regional allies to handle their affairs. This led to a somewhat softer stance toward white-ruled Rhodesia, despite public commitment to sanctions.

Private Views and Diplomacy
Declassified documents and private conversations reveal that Nixon and his advisors, including Henry Kissinger, were aware of the strategic importance of Rhodesia and South Africa, particularly in the Cold War context. They were concerned about Soviet and Chinese influence in Africa and saw the white-ruled states as a counterbalance. However, they did not openly support Smith’s government due to international pressure and diplomatic considerations.

While Nixon did not explicitly endorse Ian Smith, his administration’s approach suggested a reluctance to take strong action against Rhodesia beyond the formalities of sanctions. This differed from later U.S. administrations, particularly under Jimmy Carter, who pushed for majority rule and supported the eventual transition to Zimbabwe in 1980.