National Security Network
Encyclopedia
The National Security Network (NSN) is a non-profit foreign policy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
that focuses on international relations, global affairs and national security. Characterizing itself as "progressive", the NSN's mission statement asserts the group aims to "build a strong progressive national security and counter conservative spin."
Its founder, Rand Beers
, was a Bush Administration counter-terrorism expert and is the former National Security Adviser to the John Kerry presidential campaign, 2004
. Beers resigned from NSN in 2009 to serve as Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
. Among other things, the National Security Network acts as a resource for media outlets, releasing frequent opinion papers on a wide variety of foreign policy issues and engaging in rapid responses to current events. It also hosts the liberal global affairs blog Democracy Arsenal.
expert and two-decade White House
veteran Rand Beers
. Beers led the Department of Homeland Security review team for Barack Obama
's transition. He resigned from NSN in 2009 to serve as Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
.
According to its About Us web page, NSN’s mission is to "develop pragmatic and principled progressive national security policies for a new era. The organization believes in building upon the greatest legacies of American foreign policy through combining a strong and flexible military with shrewd diplomacy; the strategic and effective use of alliances; and above all, an unwavering commitment to America’s basic values."
, NSN is deeply involved with the Who Owns Security project, which seeks to determine how the American public currently views the parties on national security; why the public holds those attitudes and feelings; and where they do or don’t connect with specific national security issues.
NSN experts are frequently invited to speak on a variety of foreign policy issues at events nationwide.
, Wesley Clark
, Anne-Marie Slaughter
, Theodore C. Sorensen, and Frank G. Wisner
. Prior to becoming President Obama's envoy to Afghanistan
and Pakistan
, Richard C. Holbrooke also served on the NSN Advisory Board.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
that focuses on international relations, global affairs and national security. Characterizing itself as "progressive", the NSN's mission statement asserts the group aims to "build a strong progressive national security and counter conservative spin."
Its founder, Rand Beers
Rand Beers
Rand Beers was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. On June 19, 2009, Beers was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to direct NPPD’s integrated efforts to reduce risks to...
, was a Bush Administration counter-terrorism expert and is the former National Security Adviser to the John Kerry presidential campaign, 2004
John Kerry presidential campaign, 2004
The Presidential Campaign of John Kerry, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and the nominee of the Democratic Party challenged Republican incumbent President George W. Bush in the U.S. presidential election on November 2, 2004. Ultimately, Kerry conceded defeat in the race in a telephone call to Bush...
. Beers resigned from NSN in 2009 to serve as Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
. Among other things, the National Security Network acts as a resource for media outlets, releasing frequent opinion papers on a wide variety of foreign policy issues and engaging in rapid responses to current events. It also hosts the liberal global affairs blog Democracy Arsenal.
History and Mission
The National Security Network was founded in 2006 by counter-terrorismCounter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
expert and two-decade White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
veteran Rand Beers
Rand Beers
Rand Beers was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. On June 19, 2009, Beers was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to direct NPPD’s integrated efforts to reduce risks to...
. Beers led the Department of Homeland Security review team for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's transition. He resigned from NSN in 2009 to serve as Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
.
According to its About Us web page, NSN’s mission is to "develop pragmatic and principled progressive national security policies for a new era. The organization believes in building upon the greatest legacies of American foreign policy through combining a strong and flexible military with shrewd diplomacy; the strategic and effective use of alliances; and above all, an unwavering commitment to America’s basic values."
Projects
NSN works with a large network of experts to identify, develop, and communicate progressive national security policy solutions, focusing on the current issues of our time. NSN’s products include policy briefs, developed by NSN’s Policy Basics Project; the pre-eminent Democracy Arsenal blog; and the War Room, NSN’s rapid response operation. In partnership with the US in the World project of Demos (U.S. think tank)Demos (U.S. think tank)
Demos is a United States-based research and policy center that was founded in 2000. Based on its widely cited work in the media and growing impact on national and state policy, Demos continues to influence North American debate about election reform and economic security, with a particular emphasis...
, NSN is deeply involved with the Who Owns Security project, which seeks to determine how the American public currently views the parties on national security; why the public holds those attitudes and feelings; and where they do or don’t connect with specific national security issues.
NSN experts are frequently invited to speak on a variety of foreign policy issues at events nationwide.
The NSN Community
The National Security Network distributes its message to elected officials, political candidates, the media, national security experts, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations. NSN’s 2,000-plus members and experts represent the emerging generation of foreign policy leaders. Its Advisory Board includes: Chairman Leslie H. Gelb, Sandy BergerSandy Berger
Samuel Richard "Sandy" Berger was United States National Security Advisor, under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001. In his position, he helped to formulate the foreign policy of the Clinton Administration...
, Wesley Clark
Wesley Clark
Wesley Kanne Clark, Sr., is a retired general of the United States Army. Graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1966 at West Point, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford where he obtained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and later graduated from the...
, Anne-Marie Slaughter
Anne-Marie Slaughter
Anne-Marie Slaughter was the Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department from January 2009 until February 2011. She is the Bert G...
, Theodore C. Sorensen, and Frank G. Wisner
Frank G. Wisner
Frank George Wisner II is an American businessman and former diplomat. He is the son of Frank Wisner . On 31 January 2011, he was sent to Egypt by President Barack Obama to negotiate a resolution to the popular protests against the regime that have swept the country...
. Prior to becoming President Obama's envoy to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Richard C. Holbrooke also served on the NSN Advisory Board.