I think the important part of the story is that Carter has a miserable record in standing up for American security interests.
He was bad while President, and gotten worse since. He seems like on a mission to redeem himself by proving that American foreign policy is wrong and that he was on the right track while President.
Unfortunately for him, history will show that he was a dunce President and that Reagan is the hero of the 20th Century.
Bingo! Right on target.