NSC EXAM WITHCOMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
What are the four categories of tools available to U.S. leaders crafting foreign policy? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Diplomatic, Economic, Military, and Unconventional
Ex. of Diplomatic - CORRECT ANSWERS-consultations and negotiations, treaties, defense and security
agreements, resolutions in global and regional bodies such as the United Nations (UN), and public
diplomacy to promote U.S. views and culture
Ex. of Economic - CORRECT ANSWERS-trade and investment agreements, tariffs, sanctions, embargoes
and boycotts, bilateral and multilateral development assistance, loans for the purchase of U.S. exports,
and sales of arms, equipment, and technology
Ex. of Military - CORRECT ANSWERS-missile strikes by manned or unmanned vehicles, nuclear
deterrence, ground force deployments, ship and submarine patrols, blockades, unilateral or partnered
military exercises, foreign military training, and special operations forces
Ex. of Unconventional - CORRECT ANSWERS-training and assisting foreign intelligence services,
supporting armed nonstate actors, private security contracting, and cyberwarfare
What prompted the creation of the National Security Council (NSC)? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Created in
1947 by the National Security Act
In light of post-WW2 expansion of American interests and responsibilities, New role on the world stage
as a superpower, Responsibility as leader of the "free world" on the bilateral world stage opposite the
Communist Soviets/Chinese, As part of the larger reorganization of American intelligence, foreign policy,
and military
, What were the NSCs main objectives? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Principle objective is to help the President
forge policies that advance US interests and security objectives. A comprehensive forum for cooperation
to develop policies,
Meant to provide/create a process that allowed the President to receive a full spectrum of advice and
opinion from various departments.
How has the NSC's structure evolved over the course of different presidential administrations? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-The NSC process varies according to the preferences of the President. It has also
varied according to the domestic and international challenges of the day. NSC Under Different
Presidents Varies, Who attends NSC meetings, How often/how long the NSC meets, Amt. and Format of
Info Shared w President, Tolerance of Disagreement / Demand for Consensus by each President
What are some notable reforms? - CORRECT ANSWERS-NSA position (Pres. Eisenhower 1953), Increased
importance of depts. at the expense of the NSC staffers under Pres. Reagan, Pres. Geo. HW Bush NSD-1
1989
Est'd the Principals Committee, Deputies Committee, and the Policy Coordinating Committees - an
enduring 3-tiered structure, Pres. Geo. W Bush: Homeland Sec. Council,
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act,
Est'd position of Director of Nat'l Intelligence
What is the interagency process and how is it related to the NSC system? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Various
Interagency Committees, A large staff to prepare analysis and coordinate policymaking and
implementation,
NSC at the CENTER of the wider interagency process
What are the various committees in the NSC system? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Principals, Deputies, and
Interagency
Principals Committee - CORRECT ANSWERS-The goal of this committee structure is to foster interagency
consensus on policy options or highlight where and why consensus cannot be reached. Should officials
at one level agree on a policy response, the issue may not need to go to more senior officials for a
decision. All secretaries, permanent UN member, Chief of staff, and Director of national Intelligence.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
What are the four categories of tools available to U.S. leaders crafting foreign policy? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Diplomatic, Economic, Military, and Unconventional
Ex. of Diplomatic - CORRECT ANSWERS-consultations and negotiations, treaties, defense and security
agreements, resolutions in global and regional bodies such as the United Nations (UN), and public
diplomacy to promote U.S. views and culture
Ex. of Economic - CORRECT ANSWERS-trade and investment agreements, tariffs, sanctions, embargoes
and boycotts, bilateral and multilateral development assistance, loans for the purchase of U.S. exports,
and sales of arms, equipment, and technology
Ex. of Military - CORRECT ANSWERS-missile strikes by manned or unmanned vehicles, nuclear
deterrence, ground force deployments, ship and submarine patrols, blockades, unilateral or partnered
military exercises, foreign military training, and special operations forces
Ex. of Unconventional - CORRECT ANSWERS-training and assisting foreign intelligence services,
supporting armed nonstate actors, private security contracting, and cyberwarfare
What prompted the creation of the National Security Council (NSC)? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Created in
1947 by the National Security Act
In light of post-WW2 expansion of American interests and responsibilities, New role on the world stage
as a superpower, Responsibility as leader of the "free world" on the bilateral world stage opposite the
Communist Soviets/Chinese, As part of the larger reorganization of American intelligence, foreign policy,
and military
, What were the NSCs main objectives? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Principle objective is to help the President
forge policies that advance US interests and security objectives. A comprehensive forum for cooperation
to develop policies,
Meant to provide/create a process that allowed the President to receive a full spectrum of advice and
opinion from various departments.
How has the NSC's structure evolved over the course of different presidential administrations? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-The NSC process varies according to the preferences of the President. It has also
varied according to the domestic and international challenges of the day. NSC Under Different
Presidents Varies, Who attends NSC meetings, How often/how long the NSC meets, Amt. and Format of
Info Shared w President, Tolerance of Disagreement / Demand for Consensus by each President
What are some notable reforms? - CORRECT ANSWERS-NSA position (Pres. Eisenhower 1953), Increased
importance of depts. at the expense of the NSC staffers under Pres. Reagan, Pres. Geo. HW Bush NSD-1
1989
Est'd the Principals Committee, Deputies Committee, and the Policy Coordinating Committees - an
enduring 3-tiered structure, Pres. Geo. W Bush: Homeland Sec. Council,
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act,
Est'd position of Director of Nat'l Intelligence
What is the interagency process and how is it related to the NSC system? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Various
Interagency Committees, A large staff to prepare analysis and coordinate policymaking and
implementation,
NSC at the CENTER of the wider interagency process
What are the various committees in the NSC system? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Principals, Deputies, and
Interagency
Principals Committee - CORRECT ANSWERS-The goal of this committee structure is to foster interagency
consensus on policy options or highlight where and why consensus cannot be reached. Should officials
at one level agree on a policy response, the issue may not need to go to more senior officials for a
decision. All secretaries, permanent UN member, Chief of staff, and Director of national Intelligence.
