General Jim Jones - National Security Advisor Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

To effectively evaluate the appointment of General Jim Jones, it's very important to first understand what the national security adviser and National Security Council actually do.  For that, I'd recommend this piece from Ivo Daalder and I.M Destler (Though written in 2000, it's the best explanation I've seen of the function of the NSC).  As they explain, the most important task of the NSC is

coordinating the policy process so that, simultaneously, agencies get a full and fair hearing and the president can make clear foreign policy choices in a timely manner.

To do this, you need a strong and fair mediator as national security adviser.  Someone who can be trusted by the other agencies (especially State and Defense) to present all the options to the President fairly, while being careful to not take sides too loudly.   You need someone who is strong enough to ensure that there is a clear process for decision-making and that the paper flow to the President is well organized.  You need someone strong, who is respected by the other national security principals, to ensure that they don't try to win the argument by bureaucratically outmaneuvering the national security adviser.  Finally, as the national security official with most access to the President, you need someone that the President truly trusts and respects.

The first Bush term was an example of the disastrous consequences of a weak national security adviser.  Condi Rice was close to President Bush, but she was bureaucratically inexperienced compared to heavyweights such as Rumsfeld, Cheney and Powell.  The result was that Cheney and Rumsfeld would use other avenues to get to the President and influence decisions behind her back.  Rumsfeld went as far as not sending reprsentatives to interagency meetings.  Cooperation broke down between the various agencies.  One of the results was the completely disjointed and ineffective planning for the postwar period in Iraq, which truly did require cooperation from Defense, State, Treasury, Justice and other agencies.  Another, was the fact that the decision to go to war was made without all the principals getting to clearly and fairly make their case.  What mattered more in decision-making was not the quality of the argument, but how close you were to the President and whether you could gain access.  And thus more often than not Cheney and Rumsfeld won out.

Jones, on the other hand, seems to have exactly the traits that Rice lacked.  As a General he has a long history of experience with the national security bureaucracy and understanding how to work within it.  Setting up an organized decision-making process is a key part of the national security advisor's job description, and no institution is better at setting up clear decision-making processes than the military.  With his level of experience and the respect he commands, I also can't imagine the other principals trying to actively undermine the policy coordination process he sets up.  Moreover, as Matt Yglesias writes

He’s a career military guy who wasn’t known during that time for doing much “off the record” sharing of his views on policy issues — he followed orders, impressed people enough to keep getting promoted, and either kept his views to himself or else only shared them with people who are extremely tight-lipped.

I think that is exactly the type of guy you want running the NSC. He is not going to draw a lot of attention to himself. This really is a position where most of the work needs to be done behind the scenes and requires much less of a public persona than say Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense.  In fact, it's also worth remembering that Brent Scowcroft is known for running one of the most effective NSC's in recent times and he to came from a military background.  He generally took a similar approach, with James Baker spending much more time in the limelight, while Scowcroft worked behind the scenes.

Jones also has other strengths.  His experience as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is probably the best preparation any General can have for understanding diplomacy.  It also gave him a first hand look at the war in Afghanistan - a situation that will be at the top of Obama's agenda.  And of course, as Democrats work to actively build a stronger relationship with the military, choosing a General as the President's top national security aide sends a powerful message. 

Overall, I think this is a very compelling choice.

Comments

[Dan Kervick]

The first Bush term was an example of the disastrous consequences of a weak national security adviser. Condi Rice was close to President Bush, but she was bureaucratically inexperienced compared to heavyweights such as Rumsfeld, Cheney and Powell.

This is an extremely important. Aside from the harms you mention is the fact that when our national security establishment is divided and disorganized, with competing power centers, other nations can see those divisions. Adversaries can exploit them by playing one center off against another. Friends lose confidence in the coherence and steadfastness of our policies and disengage from us.

The Bush administration was marred by endless, embarrassing, gossipy speculation about neocons, realists, Cheyneyites, Rumsfeldians, etc. and all the scheming and counterproductive intrigues this gossip engenders in our foreign relations. I hope that whatever foreign policy the Obama administration ends up pursuing, the world sees that there is one policy.

[twelve sky Gold]

Welcome to our game world, my friend asks me to buy some 12sky gold . I do not know how to use the twelvesky Gold ; my friend tells me how to use. I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy 12Sky Silver Coins . We all love game, if you want to play it, please buy 12 sky gold and join us. Please do not hesitate to have game.

[requiem money]

When you have requiem gold, you will become strong. With requiem lant, you can upgrade and admire by others. You can use requiem money to start the journey of the world. So, do not hesitate, let us move to buy cheap requiem lant

[flyff money]

You will not regret to have flyff gold . So I will continue to have cheap penya , it is a beautiful fairy tale, it looks like my life.

[gg]

I hope i can get silkroad gold in low price,
Yesterday i bought cheap silkroad gold for my friend.

[buy angels gold]

So no matter how much I have spent to buy angels gold, I never regret. Because of cheap angels online gold, I meet a lot of friends.

[Dolce & Gabanna Handbags]

So no matter how much I have spent to buy angels gold

[fake Bvlgari Cuff Links]

So no matter how much I have spent to buy angels gold

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[neon]

Your site is very easy in terms of expression and open. I think everyone who enters your site is very gratifying, but also sharing a very nice opportunity to give ...

[mp3 indir]

I want to buy some gw gold , but I do not know where to buy and how to buy GuildWars Gold gratis porno
porno izle teen porn

[ghost Rider]

what about now? the national security team of the Obama administration had failed miserably with the Fort Hood shooting and the xmas bombin. The Obama administration was too busy with protecting the rights of the terrorists rather than the citizens of the U. S. how shameful can this be when a President is the head moron, who refuses to open his eyes to the problem at hand. RKj

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[sohbet odaları]

This is a very good site..

sonra bedava chat
burasıda var bedava sohbet

[chanel handbags]

Chanel Handbags are woman’s dream come true.

Chanel, a fashion name that has become synonymous with femininity since 100 years, is on the must-have list of every fashion-conscious woman.? And we bring these must-have Chanel Handbags at never before discounts, just for you.

It is only when you come across an Chanel New Arrivals, do you realize the power of her words.? Chanel handbags are crafted not just to be trendy, but trend-setting.? Hardly has lived a celebrity who has not been seen carrying a Chanel handbag under her arm; such has the influence of Chanel handbags as a fashion statement.

Chanel handbags have been so popular in the elite classes of the society, that their pricing is usually prohibitive for everyone else.? Discount Chanel handbags are really difficult to come across, but today should be your lucky day.? We bring you a superb unbeatable range of Chanel Flap bags, all at fantastic discounts.? With us, you have an incredible chance to buy your favorite Chanel handbags at rock bottom prices!

Chanel Handbags have always been at the forefront of luxury and style.? The Chanel classic quilted leather handbags and its reinventions have ruled fashion since forever.? Chanel handbags have remained extremely popular as they continue to merge evolving modern trends with the class and simplicity of its original avatar.

An Chanel 2008 Collection and Chanel 2009 Collection single handedly enhances the look you are carrying.? The reason you would buy a Chanel handbag is own a bag that mingles with your charm and intensifies it with its inherent simplicity.? If you have owned an authentic Chanel handbag before, you know what we are talking about.? If you are one of the unlucky people who haven’t yet gotten a chance to own an Chanel Cambon, now is your chance to shop for an authentic Chanel handbag and discover its ability to transform your look completely.

Buy Chanel handbags with us, and get fabulous discounts which you will never get at your favorite store.? We offer cheap authentic Chanel handbags and they are all up for grabs!

[wholesale Masks]

I like the post, and I agree somewhat with, To be very truthful.

[replica handbags]

There is no black and white colors, such as gray and red like a timeless classic, and eventually replica handbagsbecome worse, Homme Dior, black A06 wake up call, the foreigners rouge, further improve the design of the initial sales to noble pure deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) Homme Dior, Dior men will bring clean ao in front of us the overall structure, surrounded by a black dial, simplereplica handbags and stylish design style spirit of Dior Homme.

[Timberland boots uk]

it looks nice and I want to give my opinion

timberland boots uk is the classic American success story of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps - literally. In 1918, Nathan Swartz began a boot-making career as an apprentice stitcher at The Abington Shoe Company in Massachusetts. He started on the lowest rung on the ladder, learned his trade, and through hard work and determination eventually became the owner of the company.timberland sale Swartz and his sons continued to make shoes and boots for many manufacturers, and in the 1960s they produced the first truly waterproof boots. The innovation came by fusing soles to leather uppers without stitching.Comfortable enough to wear all day and rugged enough for all year round.waterproof bootstimberland boots sale are equipped to help people make a difference in their world, whatever your definition of that may be. Whether a true hiker or just hiking to work, from boots to chukkas to boat shoes to dress casual oxfords, ShoeMall has men's Timberland shoes of all styles. Our women's timberland boots sale range from rugged boots to delicate ballet flats, for however you want to walk through your day. We also have a brand new selection of kids' Timberland shoes. They're the perfect way to start your little adventurer's day off right! And, as always, we offer free shipping on all cheap timberland boots

[chanel handbags]

contractors
chanel employed by the Department of Defense can be prosecuted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (and even that is less than clear cutgucci) State Department contractors, suchermesh as those employed by Blackwater, have literally been operating in a legal black hole. They can't be prosecuted under Ulouis vuittonMJ and whidesignerle there has been an effort, led by Cong. David Price (D-NC), to expand the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) to codesigner handbagsver State Department PSCs, the legislation remains blocked by the Bush Administration. While DoJ will likely

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy Xiv Gil
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV Gilbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(WWW,GM MMO,COM Sell FFXIV Gil)

[qvod]

很难有发展前途做人体艺术美，看的眼光不同，人也不同
务的受人体艺术是确是很难
做人体艺术这项工作了女so you him
其实有空还不如去看看人体艺术有意思，再不然也可以去浏览下有不错的人体艺术指导，难道看到的古惑仔全集系列要去
short haircutssms jokesshort hairstylessdog groomerswhy

[promosyon]

Your site is very good. There are useful information and most importantly, for sharing great. Thank you.