National Security Council
Coverage of National Security Council in the Nexus archive.
- Finance and Defense ministries reach deal to give IDF an extra NIS 15 billion
The Finance and Defense ministries reached a deal mediated by the National Security Council to allocate an additional NIS 15 billion to the IDF. This agreement avoids potential tax hikes and spending cuts from reopening the 2026 state budget, which already featured record defense spending.
- Former Iran director at NSC: Crypto legislation is a ticket to sanctions evasion
A former NSC director warns that the CLARITY Act could create loopholes for the crypto industry, enabling Iran and other entities to evade sanctions and facilitate terrorist financing. The bill's provisions may weaken anti-money laundering (AML) requirements for decentralized finance (DeFi) and hinder law enforcement efforts, according to the Fraternal Order of Police.
- Dem candidate clears crowded field to face Trump-backed incumbent in NY
Cait Conley won the Democratic primary in New York's 17th Congressional District and will face Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in a November race. The district is a competitive battleground where the outcome could influence control of the U.S. House. Lawler, a Trump ally, previously criticized Conley for her role in the Afghanistan withdrawal during her time on Biden's National Security Council.
- Dem candidate clears crowded field to face Trump-backed incumbent in NY
Cait Conley, a U.S. Army veteran, won the Democratic primary in New York's 17th Congressional District, securing a general election matchup against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. The race is seen as critical for determining control of the U.S. House, with Lawler, a Trump-backed incumbent, facing criticism over Conley's role in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal during her time on Joe Biden's National Security Council.
- Cait Conley wins Democratic primary to face Rep. Mike Lawler
Cait Conley, an Army veteran and former National Security Council director for counterterrorism, won the Democratic primary in New York’s 17th Congressional District. She will face Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the general election, with the district considered a key target for Democrats due to a larger Democratic voter registration base. Lawler’s attempts to influence the primary through legal and covert tactics failed, and his fundraising advantage may not offset Conley’s military background and campaign focus.
- Markets and midterms pushed Trump to Iran deal, Doran says
Trump's Iran deal was influenced by market pressures and midterm elections, according to Michael Doran. Doran, a former GOP foreign policy official in the George W. Bush administration, now works at the Hudson Institute.
- There is no military solution to the Middle East’s imbroglio
The article questions the Obama administration's focus on using economic and political resources to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, arguing that Iran does not possess such a weapon and that these resources could be better utilized elsewhere. It highlights the lack of a military solution to the Middle East's complex issues.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman meets with lawmakers in wake of Trump AI order
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Republican and Democratic lawmakers to oppose proposals requiring government approval for new artificial intelligence models. Jordan Rae Kelly, a former National Security Council cyber incident response director, provided analysis.
- Stable US-China ties? It won’t last long, says Evan Medeiros
Dr. Evan Medeiros, a former top U.S. government advisor on Asia-Pacific affairs and current Georgetown University professor, predicts that the current stability in U.S.-China relations will not endure. He highlights his extensive experience in U.S. national security and policy roles to underscore his assessment.
- China-US stability may not last, ex-Asia adviser to Obama says
Dr. Evan Medeiros, a Georgetown University professor and former senior Asia adviser to President Obama, comments on China-US stability concerns. The article highlights his extensive background in US-China relations and Asia-Pacific policy.
- How Trump’s New Counterterrorism Strategy Puts You at Risk
The Trump administration has unveiled its 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy, which targets various groups including 'Legacy Islamist Terrorists', 'Narcoterrorists and Transnational Gangs', and 'Violent Left-Wing Extremists'. The strategy has been criticized for its broad scope and lack of mention of right-wing extremist groups. The document formalizes a drastic shift in focus for counterterror efforts.
- Counterterrorism Czar’s Blueprint Targets Leftists, Ignores Far-Right Violence and Heaps Praise on Trump
The White House counterterrorism strategy, drafted by Sebastian Gorka, prioritizes threats based on politics rather than intelligence assessments, ranking Latin American drug cartels as the top concern and ignoring far-right violence. The document praises President Donald Trump's national security agenda and portrays militant leftists as a significant threat. Critics argue that the strategy ignores data and global threats.
- Gorka: Trump hasn’t met Iran timeline because US ‘too effective’
Sebastian Gorka claimed the Trump administration's effectiveness in the Iran conflict has led to a longer timeline than initially predicted. The initial prediction was a four-to-five-week timeline. The Trump administration's actions have been deemed too effective, causing the conflict to stretch beyond expectations.
- Gorka slams Iran war critics as ‘testicularly challenged’
Sebastian Gorka criticized critics of the Iran war, calling them 'testicularly challenged' and accusing them of taking a low-T approach to threats. Gorka was unveiling the Trump administration's counterterrorism strategy. The criticism was made during a call with reporters.
- Biden alum seeking Mike Lawler's NY swing seat ripped for ties to botched Afghanistan withdrawal
Cait Conley, a Democrat and Biden administration alum, is facing criticism for her role in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan while running for Congress in New York's swing seat. Conley previously served on the National Security Council focusing on counterterrorism in the Middle East. The withdrawal resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members and more than 160 Afghans.
- Biden alum seeking Mike Lawler's NY swing seat ripped for ties to botched Afghanistan withdrawal
Cait Conley, a Democrat and Biden administration alum, is facing criticism for her role in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan as she runs for Congress in New York's swing seat. The withdrawal was marked by chaos and violence, resulting in the deaths of 13 US service members and over 160 Afghans. Conley's involvement in the planning and execution of the evacuation has been questioned by Republicans.
- I Reached Out to the White House Counterterrorism Czar for Comment. He Lashed Out on X.
Sebastian Gorka, the Counterterrorism Czar, lashed out at a journalist on X after being reached out for comment, sparking renewed interest in his role at the National Security Council. Gorka's public remarks were monitored for six months, revealing clues about the status of his national counterterrorism strategy. The journalist's investigation was published in April, examining Gorka's role in the hollowed-out national security apparatus.