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 ANSA to avoid confusion with the abbreviation of the National Security Agency), serves as the chief advisor 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 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 holder of the post is Stephen Hadley, who succeeded Condoleezza Rice upon her appointment to Secretary of State by President George W. Bush in 2005.

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

Name Term President
Robert Cutler 1953–1955 Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dillon Anderson 1955–1956 Dwight D. Eisenhower
William Jackson 1956 Dwight D. Eisenhower
Robert Cutler (2nd time) 1957–1958 Dwight D. Eisenhower
Gordon Gray 1958–1961 Dwight D. Eisenhower
McGeorge Bundy 1961–1966 John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson
Walt Rostow 1966–1969 Lyndon Johnson
Henry Kissinger 1969–1974 Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford
Brent Scowcroft 1974–1977 Gerald Ford
Zbigniew Brzezinski 1977–1981 Jimmy Carter
Richard V. Allen 1981–1982 Ronald Reagan
William P. Clark, Jr. 1982–1983 Ronald Reagan
Robert McFarlane 1983–1985 Ronald Reagan
John Poindexter 1985–1986 Ronald Reagan
Frank Carlucci 1986–1987 Ronald Reagan
LTG Colin Powell 1987–1989 Ronald Reagan
Brent Scowcroft (2nd time) 1989–1993 George H. W. Bush
Anthony Lake 1993–1997 Bill Clinton
Sandy Berger 1997–2001 Bill Clinton
Condoleezza Rice 2001–2005 George W. Bush
Stephen Hadley 2005–present George W. Bush

[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 James Cutter 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.

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.

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 portrayed National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in The Public Theater's 2006 production of the 2004 play, Stuff Happens, by English playwright David Hare.

Kevin Dunn portrayed National Security Advisor Sandy Berger and Penny Johnson Jerald portrayed National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in The Path to 9/11.