ABSTRACT

The ultimate responsibility for formulating US policy in the resolution of a crisis lies with the president. Both the substance and process of how the crisis is resolved will reflect his personality and belief system and those of his key advisors. This chapter briefly describes how some of our recent presidents have managed the bureaucratic process during periods of crisis and how they organized and utilized their advisors in making decisions. It examines the National Security Council system—its evolution and use during the Nixon and Ford presidencies—the joint Chiefs of Staff crisis action system, the Department of State organization for crisis, and the role of Congress and the key policy makers in the 1975. Once the execution order is issued, the task shifts to monitoring the thousands of political-military actions which take place. As the operation is carried out, the adversary may react, make concessions, or escalate the crisis diplomatically or militarily.