National Security Council's Role in Defining and Expanding 'National Security' Post-9/11 Examined
The concept of 'national security' has undergone significant expansion and redefinition, particularly since the September 11 attacks, according to a report by Mother Jones. Historically, the term, though referenced by figures like George Washington in 1791, did not enter common vernacular until the New Deal era, when its meaning broadened to encompass ideological and global aspects beyond territorial defense. The National Security Act of 1947 formalized many structures, including the CIA and the National Security Council, without explicitly defining 'national security.' Post-9/11, the term became all-encompassing, leading to a 'fear-based, hyper-security state,' as described by Yumna Rizvi of the Center for International Policy. This expansion has allowed 'national security' to be applied to a wide range of issues, from military force authorizations to domestic policies and even economic concerns like tariffs on brass instruments, as seen in the Trump administration.
