What is the primary function of the United States National Security Council (NSC)?

The United States National Security Council (NSC) serves as the principal forum for the President of the United States to consider matters related to national security, military strategy, and foreign policy. It is based in the White House and is part of the Executive Office of the President, comprising senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials.

When was the National Security Council established, and by whom?

The National Security Council was established in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman through the National Security Act of 1947. This act aimed to create a coordinated approach to national security policy.

What was the immediate predecessor to the National Security Council?

The immediate predecessor to the National Security Council was the National Intelligence Authority (NIA). The NIA was established by President Harry S. Truman in January 1946 to oversee the Central Intelligence Group, which was the precursor to the CIA.

What government departments were initially part of the National Intelligence Authority (NIA)?

The National Intelligence Authority (NIA) was composed of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief.

What was the primary motivation behind the creation of the National Security Council in 1947?

The NSC was created because policymakers felt that the diplomacy of the State Department alone was insufficient to counter the growing tensions with the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. The intent was to ensure better coordination among various national security instruments.

Besides the NSC, what other significant organization was created by the National Security Act of 1947?

The National Security Act of 1947 also led to the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), alongside the establishment of the National Security Council. This act fundamentally reshaped the U.S. national security apparatus.

How has the function of the NSC evolved since its inception in 1947?

Since its inception, the council's primary function has been to advise and assist the president on national security and foreign policies, serving as the president's main arm for coordinating these policies across different government agencies. It has been central to most major U.S. foreign policy events.

What is the headquarters of the National Security Council?

The National Security Council is headquartered in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is located in Washington, D.C., adjacent to the White House.

What key document is cited as establishing the NSC?

The National Security Act of 1947 is the key document that established the United States National Security Council.

Who is listed as the Chairman of the NSC in the provided information?

According to the provided information, the President of the United States serves as the Chairman of the National Security Council.

Who is listed as the National Security Advisor in the provided information?

The National Security Advisor listed in the provided information is Marco Rubio.

What is the parent agency of the National Security Council?

The National Security Council is part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

How did President Obama restructure the White House staff supporting national security in 2009?

In May 2009, President Barack Obama merged the White House staff supporting the Homeland Security Council (HSC) and the National Security Council into a single National Security Staff (NSS). However, both the HSC and NSC continued to exist by statute as bodies advising the president.

When was the name of the combined staff organization changed back to National Security Council Staff?

The name of the combined staff organization was changed back to National Security Council Staff in 2014.

What was the purpose of the Directorate of Global Health Security and Biodefense?

The Directorate of Global Health Security and Biodefense was created in response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak with the goal of preparing for and preventing future disease outbreaks from becoming epidemics or pandemics.

What changes did President Trump implement regarding the Principals Committee and military/intelligence advisors in January 2017?

In January 2017, President Donald Trump restructured the Principals Committee, altering the attendance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence. Initially, they were to sit on the committee only when matters pertaining to them arose, though this was later clarified to mean they would still be invited to attend meetings.

What was the stated legal justification for the NSC's role in identifying individuals for a 'kill list'?

The legal justifications cited for identifying individuals for a 'kill list' are twofold: first, that Congress authorized the use of military force against militants following the September 11, 2001 attacks, and second, that such actions are permissible under international law if a country is acting in self-defense.

Who is identified as an American citizen who was placed on a 'kill list' and subsequently killed?

Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen, was reported by Reuters to have been on such a kill list and was killed accordingly.

Who chairs the National Security Council?

The President of the United States chairs the National Security Council.

List the statutory members of the National Security Council.

The statutory members of the National Security Council include the President (who chairs it), the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

List the non-statutory members of the National Security Council.

The non-statutory members of the National Security Council include the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Attorney General, and the Representative of the United States to the United Nations.

Who serves as the military advisor to the National Security Council?

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the military advisor to the National Security Council.

Who serves as the intelligence advisor to the National Security Council?

The Director of National Intelligence serves as the intelligence advisor to the National Security Council.

Besides the statutory and non-statutory members, who else is regularly invited to attend NSC meetings?

The Chief of Staff to the President, the White House Counsel, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy are regularly invited to attend NSC meetings.

What is the purpose of the Principals Committee within the NSC structure?

The Principals Committee is the Cabinet-level senior interagency forum for the consideration of national security policy issues. It is convened and chaired by the National Security Advisor.

Who are the regular attendees of the Principals Committee?

The regular attendees of the Principals Committee include the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Homeland Security, White House Chief of Staff, Director of National Intelligence, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Homeland Security Advisor, and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

What is the role of the Deputies Committee within the NSC structure?

The Deputies Committee is the senior sub-Cabinet interagency forum for considering national security policy issues. It is also responsible for managing the interagency national security process and directing the Policy Coordination Committees.

What is the function of the Policy Coordination Committees (PCCs)?

The Policy Coordination Committees (PCCs) are responsible for developing and implementing national security policies through interagency coordination. They serve as the main day-to-day bodies for policy development, implementation, and analysis to support the Deputies and Principals Committees.

Who chairs the Policy Coordination Committees?

Policy Coordination Committees are typically chaired by senior directors on the National Security Council staff, sometimes with co-chairs from the National Economic Council staff and assistant secretary-level officials from relevant executive departments or agencies.

What event led to the creation of the Directorate of Global Health Security and Biodefense?

The Directorate of Global Health Security and Biodefense was created in 2016 by President Barack Obama in response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

What was President Trump's justification for the 2018 cuts to the NSC staff, including the pandemic response team?

President Trump defended the 2018 cuts by stating that people on a pandemic response team are unnecessary between pandemics and that he preferred not to spend money on staff who are not actively needed. He also referred to it as streamlining the NSC staff to reduce 'bloat'.

What new position did President-elect Joe Biden announce would be a member of the National Security Council?

President-elect Joe Biden announced the creation of the position of U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, whose occupant would be a member of the National Security Council.

Describe the image of President George W. Bush in the Situation Room.

The image shows President George W. Bush participating in a National Security Council (NSC) meeting within the White House Situation Room on March 21, 2003. The participants visible include Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers, Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA Director George Tenet, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card.

Describe the image of President Ronald Reagan's National Security Council meeting.

The image depicts a National Security Council meeting during President Ronald Reagan's administration. The participants shown include George Shultz, William F. Martin, Cap Weinberger, Colin Powell, and Howard Baker.

Describe the image of President Barack Obama at an NSC meeting.

The image captures President Barack Obama leading a National Security Council meeting in the Situation Room. Attendees include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, National Security Advisor Gen. James L. Jones, Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair, White House Counsel Greg Craig, CIA Director Leon Panetta, Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright, and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Describe the image of President Joe Biden discussing the Fall of Kabul.

The image shows President Joe Biden discussing the Fall of Kabul with the National Security Council on August 18, 2021. Vice President Kamala Harris is also present.

What is the National Security Council's role concerning individuals deemed threats to national security?

One of the tasks of the National Security Council is to identify individuals, including U.S. citizens, deemed threats to national security and add them to a 'kill list.' No public record of these decisions or operations is typically made available.

What is the significance of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 regarding the NSC?

The National Security Act Amendments of 1949 amended the original National Security Act of 1947. Crucially, as part of a reorganization plan in 1949, these amendments placed the National Security Council within the Executive Office of the President.

What is the High Value Detainee Interrogation Group's reporting structure?

The High Value Detainee Interrogation Group reports to the National Security Council (NSC).

Who is responsible for chairing the Principals Committee of the NSC?

The National Security Advisor convenes and chairs the Principals Committee of the National Security Council.

Who are the regular attendees of the Principals Committee, in addition to the statutory members?

Besides the statutory members, regular attendees of the Principals Committee include the White House Chief of Staff, the Director of National Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Homeland Security Advisor.

What is the role of the National Security Advisor in relation to the Principals Committee?

The National Security Advisor convenes and chairs the Principals Committee, which is the senior interagency forum for national security policy discussions.

Who are the regular members of the Deputies Committee?

Regular members of the Deputies Committee include the deputy national security advisor for strategy, the deputy secretary of state, deputy secretary of the treasury, deputy secretary of defense, deputy attorney general, deputy secretary of energy, deputy secretary of homeland security, the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, the deputy director of national intelligence, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the national security advisor to the vice president, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

What is the function of the National Security Council Staff?

The National Security Council Staff supports the NSC and the President in advising and assisting on national security and foreign policies, and coordinates these policies among various government agencies.

What was the observation made by the Financial Times in August 2025 regarding the NSC in Trump's second term?

In August 2025, the Financial Times observed that in Trump's second term, the NSC had been drastically pared back, with many experts ousted. An official quoted in the report stated that the traditional foreign policy process led by the NSC had largely broken down.

What is the significance of the National Security Council in U.S. foreign policy history?

The National Security Council has played a key role in most major events in U.S. foreign policy since its inception, including events like the Korean War and the war on terror.

What is the role of the Director of National Intelligence within the NSC structure?

The Director of National Intelligence serves as the intelligence advisor to the National Security Council and is a regular attendee of NSC meetings and the Principals Committee.

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Core Mandate

Presidential Advisory Forum

The United States National Security Council (NSC) serves as the principal forum used by the President of the United States for consideration of national security, military, and foreign policy matters. It is integral to the Executive Office of the President, comprising senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials.

Strategic Hub

Headquartered within the White House, the NSC's primary function, established in 1947, is to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policy. It acts as the President's central coordinating body for these critical policy areas across various government agencies.

Foundational Legislation

The council's existence and framework are rooted in the National Security Act of 1947. This landmark legislation, enacted during President Harry S. Truman's administration, aimed to streamline and coordinate national security efforts in a post-World War II geopolitical landscape.

Historical Evolution

Genesis and Purpose

Established in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman, the NSC was conceived as a response to the perceived inadequacy of existing diplomatic structures in managing the burgeoning tensions with the Soviet Union. Its creation aimed to ensure robust coordination among the military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and other national security instruments.

Adaptations and Reorganizations

The NSC's structure and influence have evolved significantly. In 2009, President Barack Obama merged the Homeland Security Council (HSC) staff into the National Security Staff (NSS), though both bodies retained statutory existence. The staff name reverted to National Security Council Staff in 2014. The Directorate of Global Health Security and Biodefense, created in 2016, was disbanded in 2018 and reinstated in 2021, reflecting shifting priorities.

Presidential Influence

Each administration shapes the NSC's operations. For instance, President Donald Trump's administration implemented changes in 2017 regarding the Principals Committee attendance and the roles of key advisors. These adjustments underscore the President's prerogative to tailor the council to their specific strategic vision.

Powers and Responsibilities

Legal Framework

The National Security Council was formally established by the National Security Act of 1947 and subsequently placed within the Executive Office of the President via reorganization. Later amendments, such as the National Security Act Amendments of 1949, further defined its scope and authority.

Targeted Operations

A significant, albeit controversial, function involves identifying individuals deemed threats to national security. The NSC, through mechanisms like the Disposition Matrix, plays a role in determining criteria for and authorizing targeted lethal operations, often justified by congressional authorization for the use of military force or principles of self-defense under international law.

Interagency Coordination

The NSC is mandated to coordinate national security and foreign policy matters among diverse government agencies. This involves establishing and directing interagency coordination through bodies like the Principals Committee, Deputies Committee, and Policy Coordination Committees, ensuring cohesive policy development and implementation.

Council Composition

Core Leadership

The President chairs the National Security Council. Statutory members include the Vice President, Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security, along with the Attorney General. Non-statutory attendees often include the National Security Advisor and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Key Advisors

Crucial advisory roles are filled by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (military advisor) and the Director of National Intelligence (intelligence advisor). The Director of National Drug Control Policy also serves as a drug control policy advisor.

Additional Participants

Regular attendees and participants in NSC meetings can include the White House Chief of Staff, White House Counsel, Director of the CIA, and various assistants to the President for economic policy, among others, depending on the agenda.

Membership Structure

The NSC's structure involves several key committees to facilitate policy deliberation and coordination:

Committee	Chair/Convener	Key Attendees
Principals Committee	National Security Advisor	Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security; Attorney General; White House Chief of Staff; DNI; Chairman JCS; CIA Director; UN Ambassador
Deputies Committee	Deputy National Security Advisor / Deputy Homeland Security Advisor	Deputy Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security; Deputy Attorney General; Deputy DNI; Vice Chairman JCS; CIA Deputy Director; USAID Administrator
Policy Coordination Committees	NSC Staff Senior Directors	Assistant Secretary-level officials from relevant departments

Organizational Framework

Principals Committee

This Cabinet-level forum is the senior interagency body for national security policy. Convened and chaired by the National Security Advisor, it addresses major policy issues, bringing together the heads of key departments and agencies.

Deputies Committee

Serving as the senior sub-Cabinet interagency forum, the Deputies Committee is responsible for policy development, review, and monitoring. It is typically chaired by the Deputy National Security Advisor or Deputy Homeland Security Advisor.

Policy Coordination Committees

These committees, directed by the Deputies Committee, manage the day-to-day interagency coordination of national security policy. They are usually chaired by NSC staff senior directors, ensuring policy implementation and analysis.

Intelligence Integration

Director of National Intelligence

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) serves as the intelligence advisor to the NSC and oversees the broader U.S. Intelligence Community. This role, established in 2004, consolidated intelligence coordination responsibilities.

Key Intelligence Bodies

The NSC collaborates with various intelligence agencies, including the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and intelligence branches of the military services.

Oversight and Coordination

The NSC structure integrates intelligence analysis and operations, working closely with bodies like the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and the National Intelligence Council (NIC) to provide comprehensive assessments and strategic advice to the President.

Truman's Vision

Founding Principles

President Harry S. Truman established the NSC in 1947 via the National Security Act. His administration recognized the need for a unified approach to national security, particularly in response to the Cold War, ensuring coordination across military, intelligence, and diplomatic efforts.

Key Legislation

The National Security Act of 1947 was pivotal, creating not only the NSC but also the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Central Intelligence Agency, fundamentally reshaping U.S. national security architecture.

Post-War Strategy

Truman's vision for the NSC was to provide a structured mechanism for advising on foreign policy and national security matters, ensuring that diverse governmental perspectives were synthesized to inform presidential decision-making during a critical period of global realignment.

Further Study

Scholarly Resources

Extensive academic literature explores the NSC's history, structure, and impact. Key works delve into its evolution under different presidencies, its role in major foreign policy decisions, and the dynamics of interagency coordination.

Bahadir, Sanli. "Arzin Merkezine Seyahat: ABD Ulusal Güvenlik Konseyi" (Turkish article on NSC).
Best, Richard A. Jr. "The National Security Council: An Organizational Assessment".
Bolton, M. Kent. U.S. National Security and Foreign Policymaking After 9/11.
Brown, Cody M. The National Security Council: A Legal History of the President's Most Powerful Advisers.
Cutler, Robert. "The Development of the National Security Council". Foreign Affairs.
Daalder, Ivo H. and I. M. Destler, In the Shadow of the Oval Office.
Falk, Stanley L. "The National Security Council Under Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy". Political Science Quarterly.
Gans, John. White House Warriors: How the National Security Council Transformed the American Way of War.
Inderfurth, Karl F. and Loch K. Johnson, eds. Fateful Decisions: Inside the National Security Council.
Nelson, Anna Kasten. "President Truman and the Evolution of the National Security Council". Journal of American History.
Nelson, Anna Kasten. "The 'top of policy hill': President Eisenhower and the National Security Council". Diplomatic History.
Peck, James. Washington's China: The National Security World, the Cold War, and the Origins of Globalism.
Rothkopf, David J. "Inside the Committee that Runs the World". Foreign Policy.
Rothkopf, David J. Running The World: the Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power.
Sander, Alfred D. "Truman and the National Security Council: 1945–1947". Journal of American History.
Thorpe, George C. Pure Logistics: The Science of War Preparation.
Whittaker, Alan G., Frederick C. Smith, and Elizabeth McKune. The national security policy process: The national security council and interagency system.

Digital Archives

Primary source materials and historical documents related to the NSC are available through various governmental archives and digital repositories, offering direct insight into its operations and policy formulation.

Official NSC Website
NSC History from White House Archives
Records of the National Security Council (NSC) at NARA
Media related to NSC at Wikimedia Commons

External Connections

Official Presence

The National Security Council maintains an official presence online, providing information about its structure, personnel, and ongoing initiatives related to national security and foreign policy.

Visit Official Site

Archival Records

Historical records and documents pertaining to the NSC's activities are preserved and made accessible through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), offering valuable resources for researchers.

Explore Archives

Multimedia Resources

Wikimedia Commons hosts a collection of media files, including images of NSC meetings, seals, and related documents, providing visual context for the council's work.

View Media

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the United States National Security Council Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.

This is not official government advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for consulting official government documentation or seeking expert counsel. Always refer to authoritative sources for the most current and accurate information.

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The National Security Council

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Core Mandate 🏛️

🇺🇸 Presidential Advisory Forum

📍 Strategic Hub

📜 Foundational Legislation

Historical Evolution ⏳

🚀 Genesis and Purpose

🔄 Adaptations and Reorganizations

🏛️ Presidential Influence

Powers and Responsibilities ⚖️

📜 Legal Framework

🎯 Targeted Operations

🤝 Interagency Coordination

Council Composition 👥

👑 Core Leadership

💡 Key Advisors

➕ Additional Participants

📊 Membership Structure

Organizational Framework 🏗️

🏛️ Principals Committee

🤝 Deputies Committee

⚙️ Policy Coordination Committees

Intelligence Integration 🧠

📊 Director of National Intelligence

🌐 Key Intelligence Bodies

🔍 Oversight and Coordination

Truman's Vision 📜

💡 Founding Principles

🏛️ Key Legislation

🌍 Post-War Strategy

Further Study 📚

📖 Scholarly Resources

🔗 Digital Archives

External Connections 🔗

🌐 Official Presence

🏛️ Archival Records

🖼️ Multimedia Resources

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 References

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Core Mandate

Presidential Advisory Forum

Strategic Hub

Foundational Legislation

Historical Evolution

Genesis and Purpose

Adaptations and Reorganizations

Presidential Influence

Powers and Responsibilities

Legal Framework

Targeted Operations

Interagency Coordination

Council Composition

Core Leadership

Key Advisors

Additional Participants

Membership Structure

Organizational Framework

Principals Committee

Deputies Committee

Policy Coordination Committees

Intelligence Integration

Director of National Intelligence

Key Intelligence Bodies

Oversight and Coordination

Truman's Vision

Founding Principles

Key Legislation

Post-War Strategy

Further Study

Scholarly Resources

Digital Archives

External Connections

Official Presence

Archival Records

Multimedia Resources

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice