Convene the Council

Convene the Council

By Victoria Faculty

​The White House National Security Council (NSC) is the principal forum used by the President for consideration of national security, military, and foreign policy matters with senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials, and is part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

​

A situation arises, the president is briefed by the National Security Council, decisions are made, and action is delegated to the proper government agency or department. In most cases, the president’s team will use something from their foreign policy toolbox to address the opportunity or challenge.

​

Multiple Choice

Read the situations. Then decide the type of tool the president will need (domestic, military, economic, etc.) and the department that handles it (State Department, Department of Defense, etc.).

 An immigration policy allowed people from Venezuela to remain and work in the U.S. due to the humanitarian crisis there.

• Domestic; Dept of Homeland Security

•  Military; Dept of Defense

• Diplomatic; State Dept.

•  Economic; Dept of the Treasury

• Unconventional; Intelligence Community

Multiple Choice

Read the situations. Then decide the type of tool the president will need (domestic, military, economic, etc.) and the department that handles it (State Department, Department of Defense, etc.).

A computer worm was discovered to be the cause behind significant damage to Iran’s nuclear program. The worm is believed to be a cyber weapon built by the U.S. and Israel.

• Domestic; Dept of Homeland Security

•  Military; Dept of Defense

• Diplomatic; State Dept.

•  Economic; Dept of the Treasury

• Unconventional; Intelligence Community

Multiple Choice

Read the situations. Then decide the type of tool the president will need (domestic, military, economic, etc.) and the department that handles it (State Department, Department of Defense, etc.).

The U.S. entered with 195 other nations into an international treaty on climate change called the Paris Agreement.

• Domestic; Dept of Homeland Security

•  Military; Dept of Defense

• Diplomatic; State Dept.

•  Economic; Dept of the Treasury

• Unconventional; Intelligence Community

Multiple Choice

Read the situations. Then decide the type of tool the president will need (domestic, military, economic, etc.) and the department that handles it (State Department, Department of Defense, etc.).

Iraq invaded Kuwait. After other actions failed to address the situation, the U.S. led a coalition of 35 nations to remove the occupying Iraqi forces in Kuwait.

• Domestic; Dept of Homeland Security

•  Military; Dept of Defense

• Diplomatic; State Dept.

•  Economic; Dept of the Treasury

• Unconventional; Intelligence Community

Multiple Choice

Read the situations. Then decide the type of tool the president will need (domestic, military, economic, etc.) and the department that handles it (State Department, Department of Defense, etc.).

 The military of Myanmar seized power from the democratically elected government. The U.S. responded with economic sanctions targeted at those who played a leading role in the overthrow of the civilian government.

• Domestic; Dept of Homeland Security

•  Military; Dept of Defense

• Diplomatic; State Dept.

•  Economic; Dept of the Treasury

• Unconventional; Intelligence Community

Multiple Choice

 The president is on their own to make foreign policy decisions.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Members of the National Security Council are all Senators.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

There are many different foreign policy tools that the president can use to address global events.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Not responding to a global event is sometimes the best option.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which department or agency would oversee the treaty-making process?

• State Department

• Department of the Treasury

• Secretary of Defense

• The Vice President

Multiple Choice

Which department or agency oversees economic sanctions?

• State Department

• Department of the Treasury

• Secretary of Defense

• The Vice President

Multiple Choice

Who might be able to provide helpful insights on issues relating to the U.S. military bases around the world?

• State Department

• Department of the Treasury

• Secretary of Defense

• The Vice President

Multiple Choice

 Who or what ends up making the final decision on foreign policy?

• National Security Advisor

• A vote of the National Security Council

• A national vote

• The President

Multiple Choice

 What is considered when debating various foreign policy options?

• Cost

• Time

• Popularity of the policy

• Likelihood of success

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Which word best describes this action: to assign or hand off a task for someone else to complete?

•  Sanction

• Delegate

• Convene

• Debate

Multiple Choice

Economic Tools are only used to punish other nations or groups

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Events that happen in other parts of the world can have impacts on people living in the United States.

• True

• False