What the National Security Advisor Does
The National Security Advisor leads the National Security Council staff, coordinates national security policy across agencies, and serves as the president’s principal foreign policy and security advisor. The position, established in 1947, sits within the Executive Office of the President and has no line authority but outsized influence due to proximity to the commander in chief. Advisors manage interagency alignment, prepare presidential decision memos, and oversee process for strategy, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and crisis response.
2017 Leadership and Appointment
In 2017, the National Security Advisor was retired Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster, appointed following the departure of Michael T. Flynn. McMaster, a career Army officer with multiple combat deployments and author of the influential book Dereliction of Duty, brought a process-oriented approach to national security policymaking. The transition underscored the importance of stable, institutional memory in the role.
Key Biographical Attributes
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Name | H. R. McMaster | Official biographies |
| Rank and background | Retired Lieutenant General, U.S. Army | Military records |
| Previous roles | Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center; Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence | Department of Defense |
| Notable publication | Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam | Publisher and library records |
| Tenure as NSA 2017 | February 2017 to September 2018 | White House archives and news reports |
Institutional Relationships and NSC Structure
The 2017 NSC staff operated under the principals and deputies model, with regular Principals Committee (deputy secretaries and agency heads) and Deputies Committee (lower-level representatives) meetings. The Legal Adviser from the State Department and the Director of National Intelligence participated as appropriate. McMaster worked closely with key counterparts including the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to ensure policy coherence. This structure enables rapid options development for the president while integrating intelligence, diplomatic, and military inputs.
Major Policy Contexts in 2017
During McMaster’s first year, the National Security Advisor helped shape strategy on North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, ongoing conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan, counterterrorism operations against ISIS, and U.S. alliances in Asia and Europe. The administration also addressed cybersecurity threats, great-power competition, and defense budget planning. McMaster led interagency reviews that informed presidential decisions such as the August 2017 strategy on Afghanistan and the unveiling of the National Security Strategy in December 2017.
Operational Realities and Decision Process
The National Security Advisor in 2017 managed information flow and option packages, often distilling complex intelligence into clear choices for the president. Key tools included the National Security Presidential Memoranda, presidential decision memos, and secure communications channels. The role required balancing bureaucratic coordination with timely recommendations, especially in fast-moving crises. Process discipline and clear documentation were priorities to reduce risk and improve decision quality across the government.
Transition and Lasting Implications
McMaster’s tenure extended into 2018, allowing continuity in policy development and staff reorganization. His emphasis on rigorous analysis and interagency coordination influenced subsequent NSC practices. Successor appointments would build on these foundations, but the 2017 period highlighted the value of experienced leadership in the NSC during periods of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.