The National Security Policy Process
This annual report by Dr. Alan G. Whittaker, Frederick C. Smith and AMB Elizabeth McKune
describes the national security decision-making process of the US government.
Current Version 08-15-2011:
The National Security Policy Process (1.2MB)
The National Security Council and Interagency System (2011 Annual Report)
Additional Information
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RELATED TO NATIONAL SECURITY
(as of 18 March 2009)
February 13, 2009
PRESIDENTIAL POLICY DIRECTIVE - 1
SUBJECT: Organization of the National Security Council System
http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/ppd/ppd-1.pdf
February 23, 2009
PRESIDENTIAL STUDY DIRECTIVE – 1
SUBJECT: Organizing for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/psd/psd-1.pdf
March 18, 2009
SUBJECT: Memo from the National Security Advisor to NSC Principals Committee members (and designated invitees) on "The 21st Century Interagency Process."
The 5-page memo articulates Gen Jones' guidance for the principles of the operation of the NSC and for the underlying interagency system that supports it.
The memo covers five areas of NSC/interagency operational principles:
- Strategic process
- Agile NSC
- Transparent process
- Predictable process
- Monitoring of strategic implementation
In summary, the memo emphasizes that NSC entities should be focused on POTUS level issues, ensuring full deliberation
that addresses "differing views" and visible transparency of operations for all departments and agencies, management
of multiple issues, directs the creation of a Director for National Security Affairs in each department/agency to
coordinate NSC, PC, and DC, schedules and activities, and assigns responsibility to the Deputies Committee for
policy implementation monitoring and reporting. The memo also directs representatives to be delegated authority to
speak for their agencies, and for Deputies to have authority to speak for their Principals
(with a 24-hour deadline for any required Principal's concurrence).
Memo: 21st Century Interagency Process
OTHER INFO RELEVANT TO THE OBAMA NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM:
(not intended to be all inclusive) — (as of 4 March 2009)
White House NSC webpage:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc/
PROJECT ON NATIONAL SECURITY REFORM
The reports of the Project on National Security Reform are especially relevant for the evolving structure of
the Obama administration’s national security structure.
http://www.pnsr.org/
The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization working to modernize and improve
the U.S. national security system to better protect the American people against 21st century dangers. It is funded and
supported by Congress, foundations and corporations, and has been carrying out one of the most comprehensive studies of the
U.S. national security system in American history.
The following individuals who have been appointed to senior positions in the Obama administration served on the PNSR’s Guiding
Coalition leadership group or led PNSR working groups:
- Gen James Jones
(current National Security Advisor)
- ADM Dennis Blair (DNI)
- James B. Steinberg
(Deputy Secretary of State)
- Michele Flournoy
(Undersecretary of Defense for Policy)
- Ashton Carter
(Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
- Kathleen Hicks
(Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in charge of planning, strategy and force development.)
RELEVANT MEDIA ARTICLES:
(not intended to be all inclusive)—(as of 31 March 2009)
Obama's NSC Will Get New Power -- Directive Expands Makeup and Role Of Security Body
By Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 8, 2009; A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/07/AR2009020702076.html
Remarks by National Security Adviser Jones at 45th Munich Conference on Security Policy
By James L. Jones
Council on Foreign Relations website
February 8, 2009
Remarks : James L Jones 45th Munich Conference
National Security Structure Is Set Under Obama, Council Will Grow
By Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 27, 2009; A03
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/26/AR2009022604199.html
NSC Gets a Face Lift : Gen. Jones will have more authority
by Josh Gerstein
Politico
February 27, 2009
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0209/nsc_gets_a_facelift_98b3c772-e841-42e3-ac2b-a0aa539b7f42.html
A National Security Council everyone can love, or at least be a member of
by David J Rothkopf
Foreign Policy
2/27/2009
A National Security Council Everyone Can Love...
Inside Obama's War Room
By Leslie H Gelb
President Emeritus and Board Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
March 11, 2009
http://www.cfr.org/publication/18745/inside_obamas_war_room.html
