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Home > Open Access Journals > JSS > Vol. 18 > No. 3 (2025)

 

Author Biography

Fabio van Loon is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University's Bush School of Government in Washington, D.C., where he earned his Masters of International Policy in December 2024. Completing his undergraduate studies in International Affairs at Rome's LUISS University, he has worked in the foreign policy space since his arrival in Washington in 2018. He is currently employed as a Congressional Affairs Aide at the Embassy of Italy.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.18.3.2428

Subject Area Keywords

Conflict studies, Diplomacy, Foreign aid, Foreign policy, History, Iraq, Middle East, National security, Networks and network analysis, Stabilization and reconstruction, Strategy, War studies

Abstract

Forging a coherent U.S. foreign policy requires the competent management of the inter-agency framework. Defining strategy at the cabinet level and ensuring its implementation at the operational level, the National Security Advisor must act as an honest broker of the inter-agency process. This article will examine the role of three National Security Advisors from the Nixon, Carter and George W. Bush administrations, and study two examples of operational success and failure, highlighting the importance of the strategic-operational link. The author concludes by recommending a National Security Council (NSC)-led inter-agency framework that drives consensus-based strategic planning and mandates operational coordination through a unified Department of Defense (DoD)-Department of State (DoS) command structure both during and after hostilities.

Disclaimer

Le opinioni sono espresse a titolo personale e non sono riconducibili al Ministero degli affari esteri e della cooperazione internazionale.

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to my wonderful wife, Hanna, who has been by my side in every step of my academic journey and professional career.

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