A National Security Council (NSC) is usually an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security. An NSC is often headed by a national security advisor and staffed with senior-level officials from military, diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement and other governmental bodies. The functions and responsibilities of an NSC at the strategic state-level are different from those of the United Nations Security Council. Occasionally a nation will be ruled by a similarly-named body, such as "the National Security Committee" or "Council for National Security". These bodies are often the a result of the establishment or preservation of a military dictatorship (or some other national crisis), do not always have statutory approval, and are usually intended to have transitory or provisional powers. See also: coup d'état.
NSCs by country
- China, People's Republic: Central Military Commissioner
- China, Republic of: National Security Council of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
- India: National Security Councils (India)
- Iran, Islamic Republic of: Supreme National Security Council
- Israel: Israeli National Security Council
- Pakistan: National Security Council of Pakistan
- The Philippines: National Security Council (The Philippines)
- Russian Federation: Security Council of the Russian Federation
- Thailand: National Security Council of Thailand[1]
- Turkey: National Security Council (Turkey)
- United States: United States National Security Council
