National Security Advisor (United States)

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The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, commonly referred to as the National Security Advisor (abbreviated NSA, or sometimes APNSA or ANSA to avoid confusion with the abbreviation of the National Security Agency), serves as the chief adviser to the President of the United States on national security issues. This person serves on the National Security Council within the Executive Office of the President. The National Security Advisor's office is located in the West Wing of the White House. He or she is supported by a staff that produces research, briefings, and intelligence for the NSA to review and present to the National Security Council and the President of the United States.

The National Security Advisor is appointed by the President without confirmation by the United States Senate. As such, they are not connected to the bureaucratic politics of the Departments of State and Defense, and are therefore able to offer independent advice. The power and role of the National Security Advisor varies from administration to administration.

In times of crisis, the National Security Advisor operates from the White House Situation Room, updating the President on the latest events of a crisis.

The current office holder is retired Marine Corps General James L. Jones, who assumed the duties of the post when Barack Obama was sworn into office on January 20, 2009 as President of the United States. The previous holder of the post is Stephen Hadley, who succeeded Condoleezza Rice upon her appointment to Secretary of State by then-President George W. Bush in 2005.

List of National Security Advisors and the Presidents under whom they served:

[edit] Fictional portrayals

• Anna Deavere Smith played National Security Advisor Nancy McNally on the NBC television series The West Wing. Mary McCormack portrayed Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper on the same series.
• Tom Everett played ANSA Jack Doherty in the film Air Force One. The character is killed in the film.
• Harris Yulin played National Security Advisor Vice-Admiral James Cutter, USN, in the 1994 motion picture Clear and Present Danger, and also Director of the National Security Agency (also NSA) Roger Stanton during the second season of 24.
• Stan Kelly played National Security Advisor Roman Wolfe for President Bridges's administration and the beginning of President Mackenzie Allen's, and was succeeded by National Security Advisor Anthony Prado, played by Alex Fernandez on Commander in Chief.
• Alan Alda played National Security Advisor Alvin Jordan in the movie Murder at 1600.
• Richard Jordan played National Security Advisor Dr. Jeffrey Pelt in the movie The Hunt for Red October.
• Jayne Atkinson's fictional character Karen Hayes in 24 became National Security Advisor in Day 6; she was forced to resign at about noon by fictional White House Chief of Staff Tom Lennox, but was reinstated to her position hours later by fictional President Wayne Palmer.
• Jack Ryan is fictional ANSA in the Ryanverse novel Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy.
• Ben Goodley is fictional ANSA in the Ryanverse novels Executive Orders, Rainbow Six and The Bear and the Dragon by Tom Clancy.
• Bruce McGill portrayed fictional ANSA Gene Revell in The Sum of All Fears
• Bill McCorkell is fictional National Security Advisor in James Clancy Phelan's thrillers Fox Hunt and Patriot Act.
• Bruce Greenwood portrayed fictional ANSA Bill Sokal in the film Rules of Engagement.
• Paul Sorvino portrayed National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger in the film Nixon.
• Frank Wood portrayed National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy in the film Thirteen Days.
• Adjoa Andoh portrayed National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the Royal National Theatre's original production of Stuff Happens, by English playwright David Hare. Gloria Reuben played the same part in The Public Theater's 2006 production of the 2004 play.
• Kevin Dunn portrayed National Security Advisor Sandy Berger and Penny Johnson Jerald portrayed National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in The Path to 9/11.
• Thandie Newton portrays National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the Oliver Stone movie W.
• Admiral Arnold Morgan is the fictional NSA in several novels by the author Patrick Robinson.

[edit] References

v • d • e National Security Advisors of the United States Cutler • Anderson • Jackson • Cutler • Gray • Bundy • Rostow • Kissinger • Scowcroft • Brzezinski • Allen • Clark • McFarlane • Poindexter • Carlucci • Powell • Scowcroft • Lake • Berger • Rice • Hadley • Jones