Project on National Security Reform

The Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) is carrying out one of the most comprehensive studies of U.S. national security in American history. PNSR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization funded by Congress and located within the Center for the Study of the Presidency. PNSR’s mission is to prepare a final report -- due in October, 2008-- that will recommend to Congress and the next president reforms to the national security system including presidential directives and a new National Security Act to replace many of the provisions enacted in 1947.

The National Security Act of 1947, developed under President Truman, set up the current system in the aftermath of World War II. Today, the State and Defense Departments, National Security Council, intelligence community, Homeland Security Department and Homeland Security Council are the central players in the national security system. In addition, other cabinet departments such as Energy, Treasury and Commerce have more recently become important players.

However, the world for which the national security system was originally designed no longer exists. Instead, the United States is confronted with a more unpredictable arena with global, multidimensional threats. To provide for American security in this new world, the president and Congress require a more agile system.

Led by a 24-member Guiding Coalition that includes former senior federal officials with extensive national security experience, PNSR issued its Preliminary Findings report in July 2008. The report identifies numerous problems plaguing the current national security system.

More than 300 national security experts from think tanks, universities, federal agencies, law firms and corporations are contributing to the PNSR study. Following release of its recommendations in October, PNSR plans to work with Congress and the next presidential administration to support implementation of its proposals.