The Evolution of Interagency Structure in the United States

The architecture of the national security state is a relatively new development in the United States. Anti-statist culture in the US weighed heavily against development of a security service or a large global armed force presence. However, the subsequent expansion of security increased the global profile of the United States. Each institution that has evolved within the scope of national security has its own cultures, subcultures, and missions. While the missions may change over the years, the institutions remain relatively the same. 

In 1947, it was determined that the old institutions within the United States were inadequate to the new somewhat imperialist role the US took following World War two in 1945. Thus, the National Security Act of 1947 was passed implementing new changes to the national security landscape. The departments of war and navy were conjoined to form the Department of Defense. The National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency were also established in this act. The Joint Chiefs of Staff was later established in 1949 to serve as an advisory board for the president. Despite all these necessary adaptations to the national security system, no further changes were made following 1990 and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The next major changes within the United States security structure wouldn’t arise until after the attacks on 9/11. In 2002, the Department of Homeland Security was established in order to focus on responsibilities in the public sector (i.e terrorism). The major reform, however, came in 2004 with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act(IRTPA). This act established the Director of National Intelligence which was created to streamline the intelligence analysis process and reduce conflict between agencies. The IRTPA also established the National Counter Terrorism Center, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Although these changes were crucial to the development of improved inter agency cooperation, these changes were minor compared to the adaptations in 1947.

With the rapid advancements in technology, the national security state will need to adapt as well. Cyber security is becoming a more pressing issue as hacking and leaks become more prevalent. Basic constructivist insight can be applied to all institutions and their architecture within the national security state. The world has created technology, and thus how it works can be reshaped and used to the advantage of the United States to improve cyber security from threats domestically or abroad. Historically, the US has been able to adapt and overcome rising threats, so it is likely the national security state will adjust to the rise of technology on a global scale. The evolution of the interagency structure in the US is not finished. As new technologies and weapons are advanced, so too will the national security state advance.