The Role and Importance of the National Security Advisor

Abstract

It is impossible to talk about the role of the National Security Advisor without talking about Brent Scowcroft. It is fair to say that Henry Kissinger was the father of the “ inter-agency system” that is still with us today. Dr. Kissinger established the network of committees at various levels within the Executive Branch that bring together representatives of the relevant departments and agencies to address national security and foreign policy issues. But General Scowcroft is the father of the modern-day National Security Advisor. The manner and method by which Brent Scowcroft performed the role became the model or “base case” for all those who came after him. David Rothkopf, with his authoritative studies of the role of the National Security Advisor and the various individuals who have filled that position, concludes that the “Scowcroft Model” is the one that best serves the President and our nation’s national security decision-making process.