U.S. and International Agencies/Departments/Organizations/Positions related to foreign policy and security:
See a list of recommended readings about the entries below.
US Department of State - US Foreign Service
Also known as the State Department, it is the US federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, the equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries. The State Department operates the diplomatic missions abroad is responsible for implementing the foreign policy of the United States and US diplomacy efforts.
www.state.gov
US Department of Defense – US Military
Is the US federal executive department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the United States armed forces.
www.defense.gov
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – US Intelligence Community
A civilian intelligence agency of the US government responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior United States policymakers. CIA also engages in covert activities at the request of the President of the United States. It is the successor of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) formed during World War II to coordinate espionage activities behind enemy lines for the branches of the United States military.
www.cia.gov
A cooperative federation of 16 separate US government agencies that work together and separately to conduct intelligence activities considered necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the United States. Member organizations include intelligence agencies, military intelligence, and civilian intelligence and analysis offices within federal executive departments. The community is lead by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), who reports to the President of the United States.
www.intelligence.gov
National Security Agency (NSA)
A cryptologic intelligence agency of the US Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting the US government communications and information systems.
www.nsa.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
An agency of the US Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency. The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 federal crimes.
www.fbi.gov
US Peace Corps
The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States understand US culture, and helping Americans understand the cultures of other countries. Generally, the work is related to social and economic development.
www.peacecorps.gov
US Agency for International Development (USAID)
The US federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. USAID receives overall foreign policy guidance from the US Secretary of State and seeks to “extend a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country.
www.usaid.gov
US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
A standing committee of the US Senate, it is charged with leading foreign policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing (but not administering) and funding foreign aid programs and holding confirmation hearings for high-level positions in the Department of State.
www.foreign.senate.gov
US Senate Committee on Armed Services
A committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the Department of Defense, military research and development, nuclear energy (as pertaining to national security), benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System and other matters related to defense policy.
www.armed-services.senate.gov
US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
A committee dedicated to overseeing the US Intelligence Community. The committee is “select” in that its membership is temporary and rotated among members of the chamber.
www.intelligence.senate.gov
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed on April 4, 1949. NATO headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium and the organization constitutes a system of collective defense whereby its member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by an external party.
www.nato.int
Organization of American States (OAS)
An international organization headquartered in Washington DC. Its members are the thirty-five independent states of the Americas.
www.oas.org
European Union (EU)
An economic and political union of 27 member states, which are located primarily in Europe.
www.europa.eu
International Criminal Court (ICC)
A permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The creation of the ICC perhaps constitutes the most significant reform of international law since 1945. It gives teeth to the two bodies of international law that deal with treatment of individuals: human rights and humanitarian law.
www.icc-cpi.int/menus/icc
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)
An organization that facilitates international police cooperation. Headquartered in Lyon, France.
www.interpol.int
National Security Council
Is the principle forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet members.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc/
Joint Chiefs of Staff
A group of military leaders in the United States armed forces who advise he civilian government of the United States. Consists of a Chairman and Vice Chairman, which are appointed by the President, and the Chiefs of service from the four branches of the armed services.
http://www.jcs.mil/
United Nations
An international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. Founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue.
www.un.org/en/index.shtml
Key Government Positions:
President of the United States
● The head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States armed forces.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents
Vice President of the United States
Secretary of State
● Head of the US Department of State, a member of the cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet member both in line of succession and order of precedence. Commonly the chief diplomat of the United States and advises the President on matters relating to foreign issues.
http://www.state.gov/secretary/
Secretary of Defense
● Head of the US Department of Defense, also is the principal defense policy advisor to the President and is responsible for the formulation of general defense policy related to all matters of direct and primary concern to the DOD.
http://www.defense.gov/home/top-leaders/
National Security Advisor
● Officially known as the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs serves as the chief advisor to the President of the United States on national security issues. The advisor is appointed by the President without confirmation of the US Senate.
Director of National Intelligence
● Formed under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the DNI serves as the the principle adviser to the President, National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council for intelligence matters relating to national security; serves as the head of the sixteen-member Intelligence Community; and is responsible for overseeing and directing the National Intelligence Program.
http://www.dni.gov/
Director, Central Intelligence Agency
● Directs, manages and coordinates the role of CIA overseas. Responsible in leading the collection, analysis and reporting of intelligence for policymakers.
https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/leadership/index.html
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
● By law, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff is the highest ranking military officer in the United States armed forces and the principal military advisor to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense.
http://www.jcs.mil/biography.aspx?ID=9
US Ambassadorship
● The highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambassador